Channel selection in a multimedia system

ABSTRACT

A method for a client module to provide a channel selection request in a multimedia system begins by receiving an input signal from a client. The method continues by interpreting the input signal to determine type of signal. The method continues, when the type of signal is control information, by determining whether the control information relates to a local command or a system-level command. The method continues, when the control information relates to a system-level command, by processing the control information for conveyance to a multimedia server to produce a control message. The method continues by transmitting the control message to the multimedia server.

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to the following U.S. Utility patentapplication which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility patent applicationfor all purposes:

1. U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/270,281, entitled“CHANNEL SELECTION IN A MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM,” filed Nov. 9, 2005, pending,which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120/121, as a divisional ofthe following application:

-   -   a. U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 09/864,783, entitled        “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ISOLATING A CHANNEL OF INTEREST FROM A        SET OF CHANNELS IN A MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM,” filed May 24, 2001,        pending.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to communication systems and moreparticularly to in-home local area networking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communication systems are known to convey data from one entity toanother. The data may be audio data, video data and/or text data. Insuch communication systems, the data is transmitted via one or moretransmission mediums (e.g., radio frequencies, coaxial cable, twistedpair copper wire, fiber optic cabling, et cetera) in accordance with oneor more data transmission protocols. The distance over which the datatraverses within a communication system may be inches, feet, miles, tensof miles, hundreds of miles, thousands of miles, et cetera.

As is also known, communication systems have two basic configurations:wide area networks (WAN) and local area networks (LAN). In addition, WANand/or LAN communication systems may use a variety of transmission typesincluding broadcast transmissions, asymmetrical transmissions, andsymmetrical transmissions. In a broadcast communication system, anetwork hub transmits data to a plurality of users with little or nodata being transmitted from the users to the network hub. Examples ofbroadcast communication systems include radio systems, NTSC (nationaltelevision standards committee) television systems (e.g., regular TV),high definition television systems, cable systems, and satellitesystems. In each of these broadcast communication systems, a network hub(e.g., radio station, television station, et cetera) transmits abroadcast signal. Any user within range of the broadcast signal and whohas an appropriate receiver (e.g., radio, television, et cetera) canreceive the broadcast signal. Such broadcast systems employ a particulardata transmission protocol such as amplitude modulation, frequencymodulation, ultra-high frequency, very high frequency, et cetera.

Asymmetrical communication systems transmit more data in one directionthan in another (i.e., one entity transmits to others more than itreceives data from each of the other entities). An example of anasymmetrical communication system is the Internet, where web serverstransmit substantially more data than they receive from any one user.The Internet uses TCP/IP as its data transmission protocol, while avariety of physical layer data transmission protocols may be used toaccess the Internet. Such physical layer data transmission protocolsinclude asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame relay, integratedservices digital network (ISDN), digital subscriber loop (DSL) and allderivatives thereof, and multiple packet label switching (MPLS). Suchasymmetrical communication systems may be wide area networks (e.g., theInternet), or local area networks (e.g., local server based system).

Symmetrical communication systems include a plurality of users where thedata flow between any of the users could be equal. Examples ofsymmetrical communication systems include public switch telephonenetwork (PSTN), local computer networks, cellular telephone systems,intercom systems, private branch exchanges (PBX), et cetera. Suchsymmetrical communication systems use at least one data transmissionprotocol. For example, a computer network may utilize any one of theEthernet standards.

In any type of communication system, a user must have the appropriatereceiving and possibly transmitting equipment to independently accessthe communication system. For example, a user of a satellite televisionsystem must have a satellite receiver and a television to receivesatellite broadcast. If another television is to independently accessthe satellite broadcast, it needs its own satellite receiver. The sameis true for NTSC broadcast, cable broadcast, et cetera, althoughcurrently most televisions include an NTSC tuner and/or some form ofcable tuner.

With the number of households having multiple television setsincreasing, and many users wanting the latest and greatest video viewingservices. As such, many households have multiple satellite receivers,cable set-top boxes, modems, et cetera. As is further known, dependentmultiple access to satellite broadcasts may be achieved by linking slavetelevisions to a master television. The master television has fullcontrol of, and independent access to, the satellite receiver while theslave televisions receive whatever channel has been selected by themaster.

For in-home Internet access, each computer or Internet device has itsown Internet connection. As such, each computer or Internet deviceincludes a modem. As an alternative to each computer having its modem,an in-home local area network may be used to provide Internet access. Insuch an in-home local area network, each computer or Internet deviceincludes a network card to access a server. The server provides thecoupling to the Internet. Currently, the cost of a network card is atleast as expensive as a 56K modem thus, there is no cost savings withsuch an in-home local area network.

As is further known, in-home local area networks use one or more oftelephone lines, radio frequencies, power lines, and/or infraredconnections as the communication medium. Such in-home local areanetworks are typically used to facilitate an in-home computer networkthat couples a plurality of computers with one or more printers,facsimile machine, etc. As such, entertainment type data transmissions(e.g., from VCRs, DVDs, et cetera) are not supported by the in-homelocal area network without having the home specially wired to support anin-home LAN that transceives entertainment type data.

Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus for a communicationsystem to overcome the above-mentioned issues and to offer additionalservices within homes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia system inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of another multimediacommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a further multimediacommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic block diagram of yet another multimediacommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a still furthermultimedia communication system in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia server andclient modules of the multimedia communication system illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia server andclient modules of the multimedia communication system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia server andclient modules of the multimedia communication system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia server andclient modules of the multimedia communication system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia server andclient modules of the multimedia communication system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia server anda client module that may be used in any one of the multimediacommunication systems of FIGS. 1 through 5;

FIG. 12 illustrates a more detailed schematic block diagram of amultimedia server that may be used in the multimedia communicationsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 illustrates a more detailed schematic block diagram of amultimedia server that may be used in the multimedia communicationsystem of FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 illustrates a more detailed schematic block diagram of amultimedia server that may be used in the multimedia communicationsystem of FIG. 3;

FIG. 15 illustrates a more detailed schematic block diagram of amultimedia server that may be used in the multimedia communicationsystem of FIG. 4;

FIG. 16 illustrates a more detailed schematic block diagram of amultimedia server that may be used in the multimedia communicationsystem of FIG. 5;

FIG. 17 illustrates a functional diagram of a tuning module that may beincorporated in a multimedia server in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 illustrates a functional diagram of a channel mixer that may beincorporated in a multimedia server in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 illustrates an alternate functional diagram of a tuning modulethat may be incorporated in a multimedia server in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia serveroperably coupled to one or more client modules via a wire lineconnection in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia serverbeing operably coupled to one or more client modules via an RFcommunication path in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia serveroperably coupled to one or more client modules via an infraredcommunication path in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an alternate multimediaserver in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for data conveyancewithin a multimedia communication system in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 25 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for conveying datawithin the multimedia communication system via a wire line connection inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 26 illustrates a graphical representation of data conveyanceswithin a multimedia communication system in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 27 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for data conveyanceswithin a multimedia communication system utilizing a radio frequencycommunication path in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 28 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for data conveyanceswithin a multimedia communication system via an infrared communicationpath in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 29 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a tuning module, whichmay be incorporated in a multimedia server in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 30 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an alternate tuningmodule, which may be incorporated in a multimedia server in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 31 illustrates a schematic block diagram of another tuning module,which may be incorporated in a multimedia server in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 32 illustrates schematic block diagram of yet another tuningmodule, which may be incorporated in a multimedia server in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 33 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for selecting channelswithin a multimedia system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 34 illustrates a logic diagram further illustrating the receivingthe channel selection commands of the logic diagram of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 illustrates a logic diagram of a further method for receivingthe channel selection commands of the logic diagram of FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 illustrates a logic diagram of an alternate method for channelselection within a multimedia communication system in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 37 illustrates a logic diagram of a method further describing thereceiving of channel selection commands of the logic diagram of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a channel mixer for usein a multimedia communication system in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 39 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a channel mixeroperably coupled to components within a multimedia server in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 40 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an alternate channelmixer for use in a multimedia communication system in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 41 illustrates a schematic block diagram of another channel mixerthat may be used in a multimedia communication system in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 42 illustrates a logic diagram of mixing signals within amultimedia communication system in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 43 illustrates a logic diagram that further defines the processingstep of FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further describesthe converting step of FIG. 42;

FIG. 45 illustrates a logic diagram of another method that furtherdefines the converting step of FIG. 42;

FIG. 46 illustrates a logic diagram of yet another method that furtherdefines the converting step of FIG. 42;

FIG. 47 illustrates a logic diagram of a still further method thatfurther defines the converting step of FIG. 42;

FIG. 48 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further definesStep 1052 of FIG. 42;

FIG. 49 illustrates a logic diagram of an alternate method for mixingchannels in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 50 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a client moduleoperably coupled to a client in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 51 illustrates a more detailed schematic block diagram of a clientmodule operably coupled to a client in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 52 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an alternate clientmodule in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 53 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for processing datawithin a client module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 54 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further describesSteps 1236 and 1238 of FIG. 53;

FIG. 55 illustrates a logic diagram of an alternate method forprocessing data within a client module in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 56 illustrates a logic diagram of an extension of the methodillustrated in FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for a multimedia serverto provide network connection for clients in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 58 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further definesStep 1342 of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further definesStep 1362 of FIG. 58;

FIG. 60 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further describesStep 1348 of FIG. 57;

FIG. 61 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for processingclient-to-client communications and network communications within amultimedia server communication system in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 62 illustrates a logic diagram of an alternate method forprocessing network communications and client-to-client communicationswithin a multimedia communication system in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 63 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for managing resourceswithin a multimedia communication system in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 64 illustrates a logic diagram of an extension of the method ofFIG. 63; and

FIG. 65 illustrates a logic diagram of an alternate method for managingresources within a multimedia communication system in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Generally, the present invention provides a method and apparatus forisolating a channel of interest from a set of channels within amultimedia system. Such a method and apparatus includes processing thatbegins by receiving the set of channels as a stream of data. The set ofchannels corresponds to channels selected by a plurality of clients froma multimedia source such as a satellite connection, cable connection,NTSC broadcast, et cetera. The processing continues by interpretingsegments (e.g., packets or frames) of the stream of data to identify thedata corresponding to the channel of interest. The processing continuesby interpreting the data of the channel of interest to determine thetype of data. The type of data may be video data, audio data, networkdata, text data, etc. The processing continues by processing the data ofthe channel of interest based on the type of data to prepare data fordisplay. For example, if the data is video data, the video data isconverted into YUV data or RGB data for display. The processing thencontinues by displaying the processed data. With such a method andapparatus, an in-home communication network is established that allowsmultiple client devices to have independent access to multimedia sourceswithout requiring traditional receiving and/or transmitting equipmentassociated with independent access to such multimedia sources.

The present invention can be more fully described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 65. FIG. 1 illustrates a multimedia system 10 thatincludes a multimedia server 12, a plurality of client modules 14-22operably coupled to a plurality of clients 26-34. The multimedia server12 is operably coupled to receive a plurality of channels 36 from amultimedia source 24. The multimedia source 24 may be a satelliteconnection, cable connection, antenna connection for NTSC televisionbroadcast, HDTV broadcast, PAL broadcast, et cetera. As one of averageskill in the art will appreciate, the multimedia server 12 may be astand-alone device, may be incorporated in a satellite receiver, set-topbox, cable box, HDTV tuner, home entertainment receiver, et cetera. Inaddition, the multimedia server 12 may be implemented using discretecomponents, integrated circuits, and/or a combination thereof.

The multimedia server 12 communicates with the plurality of clientmodules 14-22 via a communication path, which may be a radio frequencycommunication path, a wire line connection, an infrared connection,and/or any other means for conveying data. As such, the multimediaserver 12 and each of the client modules 14-22 include a receiver and/ortransmitter operable to convey data via the given type of communicationpath.

As shown, each client module is operably coupled to one of the clients.For example, client module 14 is operably coupled to client 26, which isrepresentative of a personal digital assistant. Client module 16 isoperably coupled to client 28, which is representative of a personalcomputer. Client module 18 is operably coupled to client 30, which isrepresentative of a monitor (e.g., LCD monitor, flat panel monitor, CRTmonitor, et cetera). Such a monitor may include speakers, or a speakerconnection, control functions including channel select, volume control,picture quality, et cetera. Client module 20 is operably coupled toclient 32, which may be a television set, high definition television(HDTV), standard definition television (SDTV), a home theatre system, etcetera. Client module 22 is operably coupled to client 34, which isrepresentative of a laptop computer.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the client module 22may be a separate device from its associated client or embedded withinthe client. In addition, one of average skill in the art will furtherappreciate that the client modules 14-22 may be implemented utilizingdiscrete components and/or integrated circuits.

Each of the clients 26-34, via its associated client module 14-22,selects one or more channels from the plurality of channels 36. Asshown, client 26 has selected channel 3 of the plurality of channels forviewing. Accordingly, client module 14 relays the channel selection ofchannel 3 to the multimedia server 12. The multimedia server 12 selectschannel 3 from the plurality of channels 36. The data corresponding tochannel 3 is then multiplexed with the data for the other channels andtransmitted from the multimedia server 12 to each of the client modules14-22. Client module 14 monitors the transmission from the multimediaserver 12 and extracts the data corresponding to channel 3. Theextracted data for channel 3 is then provided to the client 26 fordisplay.

Client module 16, 18, 20 and 22 perform a similar function for theirassociated clients 28, 32 and 34, respectively. As shown, client 28 hasselected channel 505, client 30 has selected channel 106, client 32 hasselected channel 206 and client 34 has selected channel 9. The clientmodules 16-22 provide the channel selection of its respective client28-34 to the multimedia server 12. Multimedia server 12 extracts theselected channels from the plurality of channels for each selectionrequest, multiplexes the data for each of the selected channels (forthis example channel 3, 9, 106, 206 and 505) into a stream of data. Thestream of data is then transmitted to each of the client modules. Eachclient module extracts the appropriate data of the selected channel forits respective client. For example, client module 16 monitors thetransmitted data for data related to channel 505, client module 18monitors for data related to channel 106, client module 20 monitors thetransmission for data related to channel 206 and client module 22monitors the transmission for data related to channel 9.

From each client's prospective, the client 26-34 has independent accessto the multimedia source 24. Accordingly, client 26 may at any timechange its channel selection from, for example, channel 3 to channel120. The client module 14 provides the channel selection request to themultimedia server 12, which now retrieves data related to channel 120for client 26 as opposed to channel 3. Similarly, client 28-34 couldalso change their channel selection from the illustrated selection toanother channel. Note that if two clients have selected the samechannel, for example, client 26 and 28 both have selected channel 3, themultimedia server 12 would only extract data for channel 3 once andplace in the header information of the data relating to channel 3 theidentity of both client module 14 and 16. As such, client module 14 and16 would extract the same data from the transmission by the multimediaserver 12 and provide it to its respective clients.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the multimediasystem of FIG. 1 provides each client with independent access to themultimedia source 24. As an alternate embodiment, the functionality ofclient modules 14-22 may vary. For example, client module 14 may notprovide all the independent functionality that client module 16 does.For example, client module 14 may not have independent channel selectioncapabilities but only selecting channels that one of the other clientshave selected. Alternatively, one client module may service a pluralityof clients.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia system 40that includes a multimedia server 42, a plurality of client modules46-54, and a plurality of clients 26-34. The multimedia server 42 isoperably coupled to a wide area network (WAN) 44 and/or to a publicswitch telephone network (PSTN) 66. The wide area network 44 may be, forexample, the Internet. The multimedia server 42 may be a stand-alonedevice or incorporated within a modem or within one of the clients26-34. The functionality of multimedia server 42 may be implementedutilizing discrete components and/or integrated circuits withaccompanying software.

The plurality of client modules 46-54 communicates with the multimediaserver 42 via a communication path. The communication path may be aradio frequency communication path, infrared communication path, and/orwire line communication path. In this system 40, the multimedia server42 is providing independent access for each of the clients 26-34 to thepublic switch telephone network 66 and/or to the wide area network 44.

For access to the public switch telephone network 66, each client 26-34includes an identification code (e.g., a telephone number). Themultimedia server 42 includes cordless telephone functionality such thatthe multimedia server 42 acts as a base station while each of the clientmodules 46-54 in conjunction with its respective client 26-34 functionsas a handset. As such, for typical telephone communications, themultimedia server 42 is a single base station that includes a pluralityof handsets, i.e., the clients 26-34 and their associated client modules46-54. Note that if the multimedia server 42 has multiple connections tothe public switch telephone network 66, multiple clients may havesimultaneous telephone conversations ongoing. In addition, themultimedia server 42 may include private branch exchange (PBX)functionality such that communications between each client may occurwithin the system. For example, client 26 may communicate with client 34via the multimedia server 42.

For accessing the wide area network 44, multimedia server 42 includes anetwork connection, which may be a DSL modem, cable modem, 56K modem,ISDN modem, etc. In addition, the multimedia server 42 includes aplurality of network access applications (e.g., web browserapplications, email applications, et cetera) to facilitate each client'saccess to the wide area network 44. In operation, the client modules46-54, for their respective clients 26-34, provide an indication thatits client desires access to the wide area network 44. Upon receivingthe wide area network request, the multimedia server 42 opens a networkaccess application (email or web browser) for the respective clientbased on the request. The multimedia server 42 may have multiple networkaccess applications open for each client 26-34. When this occurs, themultimedia server 42 allocates access to the network connection amongstthe clients in a predetermined manner. For example, the multimediaserver 42 may utilize a token passing concept to provide access to thenetwork connection for each of the clients.

The multimedia server 42 receives data from the wide area network 44,which is destined for one or more of the clients 26-34. The multimediaserver 42 multiplexes the data and provides a single transmission streamto the plurality of client modules 46-54. Each of the client modulesmonitors the transmission from the multimedia server 42 to extract datafor its respective client 26-34. Upon detecting data for its client, theclient module 46 extracts the data and subsequently provides it to itsclient.

In this illustration, clients 30-34 are accessing the Internet thus areusing a web application. For instance, client 34 has web page 56 open,client 32 has web page 58 open, and client 30 has web page 60 open. Eachof these web pages appear to the respective client as if the client hasdirect and independent access to the wide area network. As is alsoshown, clients 26 and 28 have opened an email application 64 and 62,respectively. As such, client 26 and 28 may process their email via themultimedia server 42.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia system 80that includes a multimedia server 88, a plurality of client modules90-98, a plurality of clients 26-34, a DVD player 82, a VCR 86, andother such playback devices. Other such playback devices includelaser-disk players, digital VCRs, close circuit televisions, camcorders,et cetera. In this system 80, the multimedia server 88 provides accessto the playback equipment devices, e.g., DVD player 82 and VCR 86, foreach of the plurality of clients. Each client may select to receive aDVD playback, a VCR playback, or playback from any one of the othervideo sources.

In this illustration, client 26 has selected DVD playback 83.Accordingly, client 26 provides an indication of its selection to clientmodule 90. Client module 90 communicates client 26's selection to themultimedia server 88. The multimedia server 88 processes the selectionto provide the playback data to client module 90. As further shown inFIG. 3, client 32 has also selected DVD playback 83, while clients 28,30 and 34 have selected VCR playback 87. As such, each of the associatedclient modules 92-98 will provide its clients' selection to themultimedia server 88. The multimedia server 88 processes the selectionsto produce a stream of outgoing data. In this example, the stream ofoutgoing data includes a multiplexing of the DVD playback 83 data andthe VCR playback 87 data. Accordingly, the transmission provided bymultimedia server 88 to the client modules 90-98 identifies whichpackets and/or frames contain DVD playback data and which frames and/orpackets contain VCR playback data. For example, the multimedia server 88may tag packets as containing DVD playback data or VCR playback data.Alternatively, the multimedia server 88 may tag the packets by includingthe identity of the particular client module associated with the clientthat provided the specific VCR or DVD playback request. In either case,the client modules 90-98 interpret the data transmitted from themultimedia server 88 to extract the appropriate data for its client. Theextracted data is then provided to its client for playback.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the multimediaserver 88 may be operably coupled to the client modules 90-98 via an RFconnection, infrared connection and/or a wire line connection. Inaddition, each of the client modules 90-98 may be separate devicesand/or included within its respective client. As one of average skill inthe art will further appreciate, the client modules 90-92 may beimplemented in discrete circuit components and/or integrated circuitsand further includes associated programming operations. Similarly,multimedia server 88 may be a stand-alone device or incorporated withinthe DVD player 82, VCR 86, and/or any other video source. The multimediaserver 88 may be implemented utilizing discrete components, integratedcircuits and associated programming operations.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia system 100that includes a multimedia server 102, a plurality of client modules112-120, a plurality of clients 26-34, a digital audio storage device104, a DVD audio device 106, a radio receiver 108, and a CD player 110.In this illustration, the multimedia system 100 provides a selection ofmultiple audio sources to a plurality of clients without requiring anindependent and direct connection to each of the audio devices.

In operation, the client modules 112-120 receive a selection requestfrom its respective clients. The selection request is selecting audioplayback from the digital audio storage device 104, which may be storingMP3 files, digitized audio, et cetera, the DVD audio player 106, theradio receiver 108, the CD player 110, and/or any other type of audiosource.

Upon receiving the selection request, the multimedia server 102processes the request to authenticate it and once authenticated,retrieves data from the appropriate audio source 104-110. The multimediaserver 102 multiplexes the audio data from the audio sources 104-110into a single transmission. Each of the client modules 112-120 receivesthe transmission and extract the relevant portions for its client.

As shown in FIG. 4, client 26 has selected to display audio from thedigital audio storage device 104. Accordingly, the client 26 providesthe selection request to client module 112, which is subsequentlyprovided to the multimedia server 102. The multimedia server 102processes the request and initiates the playback from the digital audiostorage device 104. The audio playback data from the storage device 104is received by the multimedia server 102, which multiplexes it withother audio playback data from other audio sources and provides thesingle transmission to the client modules. The transmission from themultimedia server 102 may be in packets and/or frames. Each packetand/or frame includes a header section that identifies the source of thedata and/or the destination of the data. Accordingly, client module 112monitors the transmission for data addressing it and/or identifying thedigital audio storage device 104. Upon detecting such data within thetransmission, the client module 112 extracts the data and provides it tothe client 26 for digital audio playback 122.

Client 28 has selected DVD audio playback 124. Accordingly, clientmodule 114 provides the selection request to multimedia server 102.Multimedia server 102 initiates the DVD audio playback via the DVD audiodevice 106. The DVD audio playback is multiplexed with other audioplayback data and provides the multiplexed data in the singletransmission to the client modules. Client module 114 extracts the DVDaudio playback data and provides it to client 28. Client module 120provides the same function for client 34.

Client module 116 provides a similar function for client 30 but withrespect to CD playback 126. Accordingly, client module 116 provides theCD playback request of client 30 to the multimedia server 102. Themultimedia server 102 initiates the CD playback via CD player 110 andmultiplexes the CD playback data into the transmission stream. Clientmodule 116 extracts the CD playback data from the transmission streamand provides it to client 30.

Client module 118 provides radio playback 128 connectivity to themultimedia server 102 for client 32. In this example, client 32 providesan indication for radio playback and the desired radio station. Clientmodule 118 provides the request to multimedia server 102, whichinterprets the request and selects one of the plurality of channelsreceived via radio receiver 108. The data from the selected radiochannel is multiplexed with the other audio data being processed by themultimedia server 102. The client module 118 extracts the appropriateradio data from the transmission and provides it to client 32.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia system 130that includes multimedia server 132, client modules 134-142, clients26-34, and a plurality of multimedia sources. The multimedia sourcesinclude VCR 86, DVD player 82, digital audio storage device 104, DVDaudio 106, radio receiver 108, CD player 110, multimedia source 24,public switch telephone network 66, wide area network 44, and/or anyother type of audio and/or video source. In this system 130, the clients26-34 may select playback from, and/or connection to, any one of themultimedia sources. The selection request from each client module wouldidentify the desired multimedia source, the client, the desired serviceand any other information to assist the multimedia server 132 inprocessing the request. As such, one client may be accessing theInternet, while another client is watching a satellite broadcastchannel, while another is listening to a CD playback, while another istalking on the telephone, and yet another is watching a DVD playback.This is all done via the multimedia server 132 without requiring theclients to have direct access to the multimedia sources and without therequirement that each client have its own multimedia source and/ormultimedia source connection. In essence, multimedia server 132 providesthe functionality of one or more of multimedia server 12, 42, 88 and 102of FIGS. 1-4. While client modules 134-142 provide the functionality ofone or more of the client modules described generally with reference toFIGS. 1-4.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the multimediaserver 12, 42, 88, 102, and/or 132 may be incorporated in a home theatrereceiver, television set, modem, set-top box, cable receiver, satellitereceiver, VCR, DVD player, et cetera to provide the networkingfunctionality as generally described in FIGS. 1-5. As one of averageskill in the art will further appreciate, the clients 26-34 of FIGS. 1-5may be any one of a personal computer, a laptop computer, a personaldigital system, a video telephone, a digital telephone, a cellulartelephone, a monitor, a television, a high definition television, aprinter, a facsimile machine, and/or any devices that includes an audioand/or video display.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the multimedia server 12and client modules 14-22 of the system 10 of FIG. 1. The multimediaserver 12 includes a tuning module 150, a channel mixer 152, atransceiving module 154, and a control module 156. The multimedia server12 is operably coupled to each of the client modules 14-22 via acommunication path 192. The communication path 192 may be a wire lineconnection, a transmit wire line connection, a receive wire lineconnection, a transceiving radio frequency path, a transmit radiofrequency path, a receive radio frequency path, a transceiving infraredpath, a transmitting infrared path, and/or a receiving infrared path.

Each of the channel modules 14-22 includes a network interfacecontroller 168, a selection module 170, and a video and/or audiointerface 172. The selection module 170 is operably coupled to receivean input from the client to produce a channel selection 178.Accordingly, if the client is a television set, the television setprovides a signal to the selection module 172 indicating the channelselected. Alternately, the channel selection module 170 may include aremote control receiver such that when the remote control of thetelevision is used to change the channel on the television set, theselection module 170 receives the control signal, interprets it, andproduces the channel selection 178 therefrom.

The network interface controller 168 receives the channel selection 178and prepares it for transmission via the communication path 192 to themultimedia server 12. The processing performed by the network interfacecontroller 168 is dependent on the type of communication path 192. Forexample, if the communication path is a wire line connection, thechannel selection 178 may be processed in accordance with a type oftransceiving that includes time division multiplexing (TDM), frequencydivision multiplexing (FDM), pulse code modulation (PCM), amplitudeshift keying (ASK), phase shift keying (PSK), quadrature phase shiftkeying (QPSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), carrier sensemultiple access (CSMA), CSMA with collision avoidance and/or CSMA withcollision detection.

The network interface controller 168 provides the process channelselection 178 as a channel select request 190 to the transceiving module154 of multimedia server 12. As one of average skill in the art willappreciate, client modules 14-20 perform a similar function as clientmodule 22 in producing their respective channel select request 182-188.As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the channelselection 178 may include selecting an audio channel, video channel, aparticular audio source (e.g., CD playback), a particular video source(e.g., DVD player), etc. In addition, the channel select request 182-190may further include volume adjust, picture quality settings andadjustments, displaying restrictions, purchase request,picture-in-picture activation and deactivation, picture-in-picturechannel select, video pausing, reverse play, fast forward, and/or audiomuting.

The transceiving module 154 receives the channel select requests 182-190from the plurality of client modules 14-22 via the communication path192. The transceiving module 154 extracts the physical layer informationfrom the requests 182-190 to retrieve the respective channel selectrequests 164. The transceiving module 154 provides the channel selectrequest 164 to control module 156. As an analogy, note that the channelselections 178 may correspond to network layer data while the channelselection request 182-190 may correspond to physical layer data of a ISOstandardized communication system. As such, channel selection requestutilize physical layer type identification within its header and includein its data section the channel selections 178. The channel selectionsinclude a header section and data section corresponding to theparticular channel selected.

The control module 156 processes the channel select request 164. Theprocessing of the channel select request includes authenticating therequest and preparing a set of channel selection commands 160 therefrom.The tuning module 150 receives the set of channel selection commands 160and extracts a set of channels 162 from a plurality of channels 158based on the set of channel selection commands 160. The plurality ofchannels corresponds to channels provided via a satellite connection, acable connection, an NTSC broadcast, an HDTV broadcast, a PAL broadcast,et cetera. The tuning module 150 provides data for each of the channelsof the set of channels 162 to the channel mixer 152.

The channel mixer 152 mixes (i.e., multiplexes) the set of channels 162to produce a stream of channel data 166. The mixing of the set ofchannels includes converting the data of each channel into a genericdata type and then converting the generic data into a specific dataformat for transmission as the stream of channel data 166.

The transceiving module 154 transmits the stream of channel data 166 inpackets of channel data 180. Alternatively, the stream of channel data166 may be transmitted in frames of channel data. Each of the clientmodules 14-22 receives the packets, or frames, of channel data 180 viaits network interface controller 168.

The network interface controller 168 of each client module interpretsthe header of each packet of channel data 180 to determine whether itaddresses its corresponding client module. If so, the network interfacecontroller 168 removes the physical layer portion of the packets ofchannel data 180 to retrieve channel data 176. The channel data 176 isprovided to the video and/or audio interface 172. For example, if thechannel data 176 is video data, the interface 172 is a video interfaceto a display input of the associated client. Alternatively, if thechannel data 176 is audio data, the interface 172 is an audio interfacethat couples to an audio input of the associated client.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic block diagram of multimedia server 42 andclient modules 46-54 of the multimedia system 40 of FIG. 2. Themultimedia server 42 includes a modem interface 202, a processing module204, memory 206 and a transceiving module 208. The modem interface 202is operably coupled to a network connection 200, which in turn isoperably coupled to a wide area network 44. The processing module 204 isalso coupled to the public switch telephone network 66.

Each of the client modules 46-54 includes a network interface controller168 and a client interface 222. In operation, the client module, via itsclient interface 222, receives a request that indicates the client'sdesire for either Internet connection via wide area network 44, to placea telephone call via the PSTN 66, or for client-to-client communication.The client interface 222 provides connectivity to the client via a PCIbus interface, an AC 97 bus interface, a parallel input, a serial input,et cetera. The network interface controller 168 processes the requestfrom its client to produce a request packet(s), which is/are transmittedto the transceiving module 208 of the multimedia server 42.

The transceiving module 208 retrieves the request from the packet(s) inaccordance with the data conveyance protocol used by the multimediasystem. The transceiving module provides the retrieved requests to theprocessing module 204. The processing module 204 determines whether therequest is valid. If so, the processing module 204 sets up theappropriate interface with the PSTN 66 and/or the WAN 44. Theappropriate interfacing to the PSTN for a telephone connection includesthe processing module 204 performing base station like functions of acordless telephone, while the client module and/or client functions as acordless handset. As a base station, the processing module 204 initiatesa connection with the PSTN 66 to enable a telephone communication forthe requesting client.

If the request was for Internet access via wide area network 44, theappropriate interfacing includes the processing module activating anetwork access application for the requesting client. The network accessapplication may be a web browser application, email application, etcetera. The particular network access application will be dependent uponthe request provided by the client. Upon activating the network accessapplication, the processing module determines whether the networkconnection 200 is actively coupled to the wide area network 44. If not,the processing module 204 establishes, via the modem interface 202, aconnection to wide area network 44 through the network connection 200.At this point, the respective client has access to the Internet.

With the Internet access established, the client interface 222 receivesInternet data from the client and provides it to the network interfacecontroller 168. The Internet data includes inputs from the client inresponse to the particular network access application (e.g., webbrowser, email, etc.). For example, the inputs for an email applicationinclude send a message, read a message, compose a message, etc. Thecorresponding processing of these inputs by multimedia server, via thenetwork access application, is provided back to the client for displayby the client. As such, from the client's prospective, the client hasdirect access to the Internet.

The client generates the inputs via a keyboard, touch-screen, and/orother input device and provides them to the client module via the clientinterface 222. The client interface 222 provides the inputs to thenetwork interface controller 168, which packetizes them to producepackets 218. The packets 218 include a header section and data section.The header section includes identity of the client module and/or client,the destination address, and other physical layer-type headerinformation. The data section includes the input data provided by theclient. Each client module 46-54 produces packets 210-218 in a similarmanner.

The network interface controller 168 provides the packets 210-218 to thetransceiving module 208 of the multimedia server 42 via thecommunication path 192. Since Internet access is typically abi-directional communication, the communication path 192 may include aseparate transmit path and a separate receive path. The transmit pathmay be used for transmitting packets 210-218 to the multimedia serverwhile the receiving path may be used to receive multiplexed client data230 from the multimedia server 42.

The transceiving module 208 receives packets 210-218 and removes thephysical layer header information to produce retrieved requests 220. Theretrieved requests 220 are provided to processing module 204, whichconverts them into network data 224 by executing the network accessapplication thereon. Note that the network data 224 includes separatedata for each of the clients accessing the WAN. The processing module204 provides the network data 224 to the network connection 200, via themodem interface 202, as outbound modem data 234. Responses to theoutbound modem data 234 are received via the network connection 200 asinbound modem data 232. The processing module 204 receives the inboundmodem data 232 as received network packets 226 via the modem interface202.

The processing module 204 interprets the received network packets 224 toidentify the source and/or destination of the network packets. For eachnetwork packet that is destined for a particular client, the processingmodule adds header information to address the particular client therebyproducing client data 228. The transceiving module 208 performs thephysical layer interfacing on the client data 228 producing multiplexclient data 230.

Each of the client modules 46-54 receives the multiplex client data 232via the communication path 192. The network interface controller 168monitors the multiplex client data 230 to identify packets destined forits client module and its respective client. For each packet the networkinterface controller 168 identifies for the corresponding client module,it strips off the physical layer information and provides the respectiveclient data to the client interface 222. The client interface 222provides the respective client data to the client thereby facilitatingInternet access for the particular client.

The multimedia server 42 may also provide intercom, or client-to-client,communications between the clients of the system 40. In this instance,the client interface 222 would receive a request for intercomcommunications from its client. The network interface controller 168would packetize this request and provide it to the transceiving module208 of multimedia server 42. The processing module 204 processes therequest and determines whether the request can be fulfilled. Whether therequest can be fulfilled is based on resource availability of themultimedia server, bandwidth availability of the communication path 192,and functionality capabilities of the clients involved in the intercomcommunication. If the request can be fulfilled, the processing module204 provides a response to the initiating client module.

Once the intercom communication has been established, the initiatingclient provides data to the multimedia server via the network interfacecontroller 168 in packets. The packets include a header section and adata section, wherein the header section indicates that the data sectionincludes client-to-client data. Once the processing module 204 receivesthe packetized intercom data, the processing module 204 detects thatthis is a client-to-client communication and processes theclient-to-client data 236. The processing module 204 provides theclient-to-client data 236 as part of the client data 228. The clientdata 228 includes header information that identifies it as aclient-to-client communication data, telecom data, and/or Internetcommunication data.

The transceiving module 208 performs the physical layer packetizing ofthe client data 228 to produce the multiplex client data 230. Thetargeted client module identifies the packets containing theclient-to-client communication via the network interface controller 168,which strips off the physical layer portion of the packets and providesthe client-to-client data to the client interface 222. The clientinterface 222 provides the intercom data to the respective client.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic block diagram of multimedia server 88 andclient modules 90-98 of the multimedia communication system 80 of FIG.3. The multimedia server 88 includes a tuning module 240, a channelmixer 242, a transceiving module 246 and a control module 244. Each ofthe client modules 90-98 includes a network interface controller 270, avideo and/or audio interface 172, and a selection module 272.

In operation, the selection module 272 receives an input from a clientto produce a source selection 276. The input from the client indicatesthe particular multimedia source that is to be accessed. In thisexample, the multimedia source may be a DVD player 82, a VCR 86, acompressed video source 248, closed circuit television system, and/orany other type of video source. The selection module 272 may receive theinput directly from the client and/or include circuitry to receive thecommunication from the remote control device of the client. As such, theselection module 272 interprets the remote control transmission of theclient to produce the source selection 276. The source selection 276includes a header section and a data section. The header sectionincludes the identity of the client module and indicates that the datasection including a request as opposed to actual data.

The source selection 276 is provided to the network interface controller270, which adds physical layer overhead onto the source selection 276and provides it as a select requests 258-266 to the multimedia server88.

The transceiving module 246 receives the select requests 258-266 andremoves the physical layer overhead. The transceiving module 246provides the select request 250, which includes the source selections276 of the client modules, to the control module 244. The control moduleprocesses the select request 250 to authenticate the request, determinewhether the server can support the request, and, if so, produces a setof selection commands 252.

The tuning module 240 receives the set of selection commands 252 andselects data from one or more of the multimedia sources 82, 86, and 248based on the corresponding selection commands 252. The tuning module 240provides the data from the selected multimedia sources as a set ofchannels 254 to the channel mixer 242.

The channel mixer 242 processes the set of channels 254 by convertingthe data of each multimedia source into generic data. The generic datais converted into a specific format video data, which is then combinedinto a stream of channel data 256. The transceiving module 246 receivesthe stream of channel data 256 and packetizes it for transmission aspackets of data 268.

Each of the network interface controllers 270 of the client modules90-98 receives the packets of data 268. The network interface controller270 strips off the physical layer overhead and interprets it todetermine whether the packet is destined for its respective clientmodule. If so, the network interface controller provides the audioand/or video data 274 contained in the packet to the video and audiointerface 172. The video and audio interface 172 provides the data to anaudio input and/or video input of the client.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic block diagram of multimedia server 102and client modules 112-120 of multimedia system 100 of FIG. 4. In thisillustration, multimedia server 102 includes a transceiving module 286,a control module 284, a tuning module 280, and a channel mixer 282. Eachof the client modules 120 includes a network interface controller 308, aselection module 310 and an audio interface 312.

In operation, the selection module 310 receives an input from itsrespective client. The input identifies a particular audio source, suchas digital audio storage 104, CD 110, DVD audio 106, radio receiver 108.The input is processed by the selection module 310 to produce a sourceselection 314. The source selection 314 identifies the particular sourceand the corresponding client. The network interface controller 308packetizes the source selection 314 and provides it as a select request298-306 to the multimedia server 102.

The transceiving module 286 receives the select request 298-306 via thecommunication path 192 and reconstructs the source selection 314 asselection request 288. The control module 284 receives the selectrequest 288 and determines whether they can be fulfilled. Thedetermination is based on resources available within the multimediaserver 102, bandwidth availability of communication path 192,authenticity of the particular client, and privilege access for theparticular client. If the selection request for the client can beprocessed, the control module produces a selection command 292 for eachcorresponding select request.

The tuning module 280 receives the set of selection commands 292 andaccesses the playback data from the identified audio source. The audiosources include the digital audio storage 104, which may be storingdigitized audio, MP3 files, CD player, DVD audio player 106 and/or aradio receiver 108. The tuning module 280 outputs the selected playbackof the corresponding audio services as a set of channels 294.

The channel mixer 282 receives the set of channels 294 and converts theminto generic audio data. The generic audio data is then converted into aspecific audio data format, which is combined into a stream of channeldata 290. The channel mixer 282 provides the stream of channel data 290to the transceiving module 286. The transceiving module 286 packetizesthe stream of channel data 290 and provides it as packets of data 296 tothe plurality of client modules 112-120.

The network interface controller 308 of the client module 112-120receives the packets of data 296. The network interface controller 308interprets each packet to determine whether the packet is for itsrespective client module 120. For each packet that is for its clientmodule, network interface controller 308 extracts audio data 316 andprovides it to the audio interface 312. The audio interface 312 providesthe audio data 316 for playback to its respective client device.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic block diagram of multimedia server 132and client modules 134-142 of the multimedia communication system 130 ofFIG. 5. The multimedia server 132 includes processing module 345, memory347, channel mixer 342, transceiving module 346, control module 344, andtuning module 340. Each of the client modules 142 includes a selectionmodule 334, network interface controller 330, client interface 222,video and audio interface 172, video interface 332, and an audiointerface 312.

In this multimedia communication system, a client may select any one ofa variety of multimedia services including client-to-clientcommunications, viewing a channel from a satellite connection, cableconnection, etc., viewing closed circuit television, viewing compressedvideo stored in memory, viewing a DVD, viewing a cassette from a VCR,listening to digital audio, listening to a compact disk, listening toDVD audio, listening to a radio station, accessing the Internet, and/orparticipating in a telephone call.

To initiate one or more of these multimedia services, the selectionmodule 334 of a client module receives an input either from the clientdevice or a remote control device associated with the client device. Theinput identifies the particular client as well as identifying theparticular service desired. The selection module 334 interprets theinput to produce a source selection 336. The selection module 334provides the source selection 336 to the network interface controller330.

The network interface controller 330 prepares the source selection 336for transmission to the multimedia server 132. The preparation may bedone by packetizing the source selection 336 for a physical layer typetransmission, placing at least a portion of the source selection 336 inan allocated timeslot in a TDM transmission scheme, responding to apolling request from the multimedia server 132, requesting and/orreceiving a token ring, et cetera. Regardless of the type of accessscheme used, the network interface controller 330 produces a request320-328, which is transmitted to the transceiving module 346 ofmultimedia server 132.

The transceiving module 346 receives the request 320-328 from the clientmodules 134-142. The transceiving module 346 processes the request inaccordance with the transmission scheme utilized. For example, if thetransmission scheme is carrier sense multiple access, the transceivingmodule 346 interprets the header to identify the particular client suchthat it may isolate the individual request 320-328. As a furtherexample, if TDM access is utilized, the transceiving module 346identifies the particular timeslot allocated to each client module toidentify the corresponding request 320-328. Regardless of the type oftransmission scheme utilized, the transceiving module 346 removes thephysical layer type overhead from the requests 320-328 to recapture thesource selections 336. The source selections 336 are provided as selectrequests 350 to the control module 344.

The transceiving module 346 processes requests 320-328 to identify theparticular type of selection being requested. If the selection is toaccess one of the multimedia sources, it processes that as describedabove. If, however, the transceiving module 346 detects one or more ofthe requests 320-328 requesting client-to-client communication, thetransceiving module 346 generates a client-to-client request, which isprovided to processing module 345.

The control module 334 interprets each of the select requests 350 inaccordance with the access privileges and authentication processes foreach of the client modules 134-142. If the selection request is validand the client module has been authenticated, the control module 334generates a select command for each corresponding request 320-328. Thecontrol module 334 provides the select commands as a set of commands 352to the tuning module 340.

The tuning module 340 processes each of the select commands of the setof commands 352 to identify the multimedia source to be accessed. Foreach command received, the tuning module 340 selects the appropriatechannel of the multimedia sources. For multimedia sources that include aplurality of channels, such as a satellite connection, cable connection,radio receiver, et cetera, the tuning module 340 selects the particularsource and also further selects one of the plurality of channels fromsuch multimedia sources. The resulting isolated channels are provided tothe channel mixer 342 as a set of channels 348.

The processing module 345 receives client-to-client communicationrequests and processes the request to produce client-to-client data 236.The processing module 345 provides the client-to-client data 236 asclient data 228 to the channel mixer 342.

The channel mixer 342 processes the set of channels 348 and, whenincluded, the client data 228. The channel mixer 342 converts the dataof each channel of the set of channels 348 into generic data. The clientdata 228 is multiplexed with the generic data of the set of channels 348to produce the stream of channel data 354. The channel mixer 342provides the stream of channel data 354 to the transceiving module 346.

The transceiving module transmits the stream of channel data 354 inaccordance with the data transmission protocol incorporated by themultimedia communication system. As such, the stream of channel data 354is framed, packetized, et cetera to produce packets of data 356 that areprovided via a communication path to each of the client modules 134-142.

The network interface controller 330 of each of the client modulesreceives the packets of data 356 and interprets overhead informationwithin the header to determine whether this particular packet is for thecorresponding client module. If so, the network interface controllerstrips off the overhead information and further interprets theparticular type of data contained in the packet. This may be done byreading additional overhead information to identify the particularsources of information and/or accessing memory, which corresponds theanticipated packets with the source selection 336. If the packetscorrespond to data received from one of the multimedia sources, thenetwork interface controller 330 provides audio and/or video data 338 toone or more of the interfaces 172, 332 or 312. If, however, the datarelates to a client-to-client communication, telephone call or accessingthe Internet, the network interface controller 330 provides the receiveddata to the client interface 222.

Each of the interfaces 172, 222, 332, and 312 interfaces with therespective client devices either through external ports of the clientdevice such as a serial port, parallel port, or internal access througha PCI bus, AC 97 bus, et cetera. Once the data is received by the clientdevice, it is displayed visual and/or audibly as if the client devicehad direct access to the particular multimedia source being accessed.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the mixing of dataperformed by channel mixer 342 may utilize a prioritization schemedepending on the type of data being mixed. For example, if the databeing mixed includes real time audio and/or video data, such data maytake priority over non-real time video and/or audio. Such real timevideo and/or audio include telephone communications, watching livebroadcasts, et cetera while non-real time video and/or audio includeviewing a DVD, VCR, listening to digital audio, CD, DVD audio, etcetera. The non-real time data may be transmitted in large bursts withgreater time intervals between the bursts and still provide a continuousflow of display data. Conversely, real time data is transmitted insmaller bursts and more frequently.

As one of average skill in the art will further appreciate, the memory347 of multimedia server 132, or other memories in any of the multimediaserver shown, may enable the multimedia server to function as a digitalVCR. As such, live broadcasts may be captured from a satelliteconnection, cable connection, NTSC broadcast, PAL broadcast, HDTVbroadcast and stored in memory for subsequent playback.

As one of average skill in the art will further appreciate, themultimedia server 132 may couple to one or more of the multimediasources shown. As such, multimedia server 132 may include thefunctionality of any one or all of the multimedia servers shown in FIGS.1-4. Correspondingly, each client module 134-142 may include thefunctionality of one or more of the client modules shown in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate schematic block diagram of themultimedia communication systems shown in FIGS. 1-5. The multimediaserver 12, 42, 88, 102 and/or 132 includes a processing module 360 andmemory 362. The multimedia server is operably coupled to receive one ormore of multimedia sources. Such multimedia sources include a pluralityof channels 158 from a satellite connection, cable connection, NTSCbroadcast, PAL broadcast, HDTV broadcast, compressed video 248 from amemory device, camcorder, et cetera, DVD playback 82, VCR playback 86,stored digital audio 104, CD playback 110, DCD audio playback 106, radioreception 108, internet connection 44, and/or connection to the publicswitch telephone network 66.

The processing module 360 may be a single processing device or pluralityof processing devices. Such a processing device may be amicrocontroller, microprocessor, microcomputer, central processing unit,digital signal processor, programmable gate array, state machine, logiccircuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/ordigital) based on operational instructions. The memory 362 may be asingle memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memorydevice may be a read-only memory, random access memory, system memory,flash memory, magnetic tape memory, programmable memory, erasablememory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the processing module 360 implements one or more of its functionsvia a state machine or logic circuitry, the memory storing thecorresponding instructions is embedded within the circuitry comprisingthe state machine or logic circuitry. The functions performed byprocessing module 360 and stored in memory 362 are generally describedin the logic diagrams of FIGS. 24-28, which will be discussed below.

In general, the multimedia server provides access for a plurality ofclients to one or more of the multimedia services by receiving requests182-190, 258-266, 298-306 and/or 320-328 from a client module. Themultimedia server processes the request to produce packets of data 180,268, 296 and/or 356 or multiplex client data 230 depending on the typeof request. In addition, the client modules may provide packets ofinformation 210-218, which contain data for Internet connections,telephone connections, and/or client-to-client communications. Themultimedia server processes packets as described generally withreference to FIGS. 1-10.

Client module 14-22, 46-54, 90-98, 112-120 and/or 134-142 includes aprocessing module 364 and memory 366. The client module is operablycoupled to a client 26, 28, 30, 32 and/or 34 to provide display data368. The display data may include audio data, video data and/or textdata. The type of display data 368 will depend on the particularmultimedia source being accessed for the client. The processing module364 may be a single processing device or a plurality of processingdevices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor,microcontroller, microcomputer, central processing unit, programmablegate array, state machine, logic circuitry, digital signal processor,and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) basedon operational instructions. The memory 366 may be a single memorydevice or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be aread-only memory, random access memory, erasable memory, flash memory,magnetic tape memory, system memory, and/or any device that storesdigital information. Note that when processing module 364 implements oneor more of its functions via a state machine or logic circuitry, thememory storing the corresponding operational instructions is embeddedwithin the circuitry comprising the state machine and/or logic circuit.The functions performed by processing module 364 and stored in memory366 are described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 52-62 andhave been generally described with reference to FIGS. 1-10.

FIG. 12 illustrates a more detailed schematic block diagram ofmultimedia server 12 of the multimedia communication system of FIG. 1.The multimedia server 12 includes the tuning module 150, the channelmixer 152, the transceiving module 154, and the control module 156. Thetuning module 150 includes a plurality of tuners 370-376, an encodingmodule 380, and a bus interface module 382. The channel mixer 152includes at least one stream parsing module 390, a memory controller394, memory 392, a processor 396, and a data transcoding module 388. Thestream parsing module 390 includes a plurality of bit stream modules398-404.

In operation, the control module 156 provides the set of channel selectcommands 160 to the tuning module 150. As shown, each tuner receives anindividual channel select command from the control module 156.Alternatively, the control module 156 provides a stream of datacontaining the channel select commands 160 to the tuning module 150. Thetuning module then would interpret the stream of data to identify theparticular commands being received and then provide individual channelselect commands to tuners 370-376. Each of the tuners 370-376 has itsinput coupled to receive the plurality of channels 158.

The plurality of channels may be received via a satellite connection,cable connection, NTSC broadcast, PAL broadcast, HDTV broadcast, etcetera. Accordingly, each of the tuners 370-376 would include acorresponding tuner functionality and construction. For example, if theplurality of channels 158 is being received via an NTSC broadcast, eachof the tuners includes a television encoder to isolate one of theplurality of channels and produce digitized video as an output.Alternatively, if the plurality of channels 158 is received via asatellite connection, each of the tuners includes a satellite tuner asfound in commercially available satellite receivers. The satellite tuneroutputs, in MPEG 2 format, one or more channels of the plurality ofchannels. Similarly, for HDTV, cable TV, et cetera the tuners would beof a construct corresponding to the particular source of the pluralityof channels. Since the construct of such tuners for each of the sourcesis known, no further discussion will be presented for the tuners exceptto further illustrate the concepts of the present invention.

Each tuner 370-376 outputs a selected channel 384 and provides it to theencoding module 380. The encoding module 380 encodes each of theselected channels 384 based on the encoding scheme used by themultimedia server 12 to produce encoded channel data 386. The encodingscheme may be one or more of multilevel encoding, non-return to zeroencoding, Manchester encoding, block encoding and/or nB/mB encodingwhere in n>m. For example, the nB/mB may be 4B/5B encoding where 4 bitsof actual data are converted into 5 bits of encoded data. In addition,the encoding attaches a header portion, which identifies the particularchannel. The encoded channel data 386 is placed on a bus coupling thetuning module 150 to the channel mixer 152 by a bus interface module382.

The bus interfacing module 382 places the encoded channel data 386 onthe bus in accordance with the particular data transport scheme usedwithin multimedia server 12. For example, the data conveyance protocolmay be carrier sense multi-access, TDMA, et cetera.

The channel mixer 152 is operably coupled to receive the encoded channeldata 386 from tuning module 150. The channel mixer 152 receives theencoded channel data 386 via the stream parsing module 390. The streamparsing module 390 includes a plurality of bit stream modules 398-404.Each of the bit stream modules 398-404 monitors the bus for datacorresponding to a particular channel of interest. Accordingly, each ofthe bit stream modules 398-404 is allocated to process data related to aparticular client module. For example, bit stream module 398 may beallocated to process data for client module 14 of FIG. 1, while bitstream module 400 is allocated to process data for client module 16 ofFIG. 1, et cetera.

Each bit stream module 398-404 includes a bus interface module (notshown) to monitor the bus to detect the identity the relevant data. Asone of average skill in the art will appreciate, alternatively, thechannel mixer 152 may include a bus interface module that provides asingle connection to receive all of the data, wherein the bus interfacemodule interprets the data and provides it to the appropriate bit streammodule 398-404. Each of the bit stream modules 398-404 isolates data ofits corresponding channel of interest 406 and provides the data tomemory 392 via memory controller 394.

As the data corresponding to each channel of interest 406 is stored inmemory 392, the processing module 396 is converting the channel ofinterest 406 from its original format into generic data. The processor396 causes the generic data to be stored in memory 392 via memorycontroller 394. For example, if the channel of interest corresponds tovideo data received from one of the multimedia sources, the processorconverts the specific formatted video data (e.g., MPEG II) of themultimedia source into a generic video data. Such generic video data maybe formatted as MPEG video data, JPEG data, M-JPEG video data, digitalRGB data and/or digital YCBCR data.

If the data for the channel of interest is audio data, the processor 396converts the formatted of audio data from its original format intogeneric audio data, such as MPEG formatted audio data, MP3 formatteddata, and/or PCM digitized audio data.

The data transcoding module 388 retrieves the generic data 392 frommemory via the memory controller 394 to produce a stream of channel data166. If the generic data is generic video data, the transcoding module388 converts the generic video data into a specific video data format,such as MPEG II, to produce the stream of channel data 166. If, however,the generic data includes generic audio data, the data transcodingmodule 388 converts it into a specific audio format, such as MP3. If thedata is Internet data, telecommunication data, and/or client-to-clientcommunication data, the transcoding module 388 provides the dataunaltered as part of the stream of channel data 166.

The transceiving module 154 receives the stream of channel data 166 andprocesses it to produce packets of channel data 180. The processingperformed by the transceiving module 154 is in accordance with the dataconveyance protocol of the multimedia server. As such, the processingadds overhead information to identify the particular portions of thestream of channel data 166 that is destined for individual clientmodules.

FIG. 13 illustrates a more detailed schematic block diagram ofmultimedia server 42 of the multimedia communication system of FIG. 2.As shown, the multimedia server 42 includes a modem interface 202,processing module 204, memory controller 418, transceiving module 208,memory 206, and video graphics processing applications 420. The modeminterface 202 is operably coupled to a modem 426, which provides thenetwork connection 200. Note that the modem 426 may be an xDSL modem, awireless modem, a 56K modem, a cable modem, an ISDN modem, or aconnection to a home network. In addition, the modem interface 202provides coupling to the public switch telephone network 66. As one ofaverage skill in the art will appreciate, the multimedia server 42 mayprovide one or more of the functions of an Internet connection,connection to the public switch telephone network, and client-to-clientcommunications.

The video graphics processing applications 420 may be softwareapplications stored in memory 206 and executed by processing module 204.Alternatively, the video graphics process applications 420 may beexecuted by a single or multiple video graphics processors operablecoupled to memory controller 418. In any implementation, the videographics process applications 420 prepare video data for display on aCRT, LCD panel, et cetera.

The memory 206 stores a plurality of software applications includingclient service software 416, cordless telephone software 422,client-to-client software 424, modem allocation software 414, aplurality of web browser applications 410, and a plurality of emailapplications 412. The memory 206 also stores client display data 422.The client display data 422 is processed by the video graphics processapplications 420 to produce outgoing display data.

In operation, the transceiving module 208 receives packets 210-218 fromthe plurality of client modules. Initially, the packets 210-218 includeheader information that identifies the particular client, informationindicating that this is a service request packet, and its payloadincludes identity of the particular service being requested. Theparticular service being requested may be accessed to the Internet,participating in a telephone conversation via the PSTN, and/orclient-to-client communications.

When the packets are received by the multimedia server, the transceivingmodule 208 removes the physical layer overhead information from thepackets and provides retrieved requests 220 to memory controller 418.Memory controller 418 causes the retrieved requests 220 to be stored inmemory 206. The processing module 204 retrieves the retrieved requests220 to initiate processing of the requests. For requests indicating aparticular type of service, the processing module 204 interprets therequest to identify the service being requested. As an alternative torouting received request packets through memory controller 418, thereceive request packets may be placed in a buffer and directly accessedby processing module 204 from the buffer.

The processing module 204 evokes the client service software 416 tointerpret the received packets to identify whether the packets arerequesting a particular type of service, what that service is, and/oridentifying the packets as data packets. If the processing module 204determines, via the client software 416, that the request is for atelephone conversation via the PSTN 66, the processing module 204 evokesthe cordless phone software 422. If, however, the request is forclient-to-client communication, the processing module 204 evokes theclient-to-client software 424. If, however, the request is for access tothe Internet, the processing module 204 evokes either an emailapplication 412 or a web browser application depending on the particulartype of access being requested.

For client-to-client communications, the transceiving module 208receives packets containing communication data. The packets will beprocessed by the transceiving module to remove the physical layeroverhead and provide the receive packets 220 to memory controller 418.The receive packets will be stored in the memory 206. The processingmodule 204, via the client-to-client software 424, retrieves theclient-to-client communication data from memory 206 and processes it toproduce client-to-client data 236. The processing module 204 providesthe client-to-client data 236 to the memory controller 418 for storagein memory 206. The transceiving module 208 causes the memory controller418 to retrieve the client-to-client data 236 from memory 206 andprovide it as client data 228. The transceiving module 208 multiplexesthe client data 228 for the client-to-client communication with otherservices being supported for the client modules to produce multiplexclient data 230. The multiplex client data also includes the physicallayer overhead to identify the individual packets once received by theclient modules.

If the service request is for a telephone conversation via the PTSN 66,the processing module 204 evokes the cordless phone software 422.Accordingly, as the processing module 204 retrieves receive packets 220from memory 206, it performs the cordless phone software 422 upon thedata. In essence, the cordless phone software 422 causes the multimediaserver 422 to act as a base station while the client module and/orclient acts as the cordless handset. The telephone functionalityutilizes a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signaling for keying in thenumbers. The transmission rate between the multimedia server 42 and thehandset may utilize traditional 900 Mhz cordless phone frequencies, 2.4gigahertz frequencies, and/or CDMA (code division multiple access)technology.

The processing module 204, upon processing the receive packets 220,produces network data 224 which is provided to the modem interface 202.The modem interface provides the network data 224 to the PSTN 66.Accordingly, the processing module 204 includes an identifier within thenetwork data 224 such that the modem interface 202 knows to provide itto the PSTN 66 as opposed to the modem 426.

For incoming telecommunication data, the modem interface 202 providesthe data as received network packets 226 to the processing module 204.The processing module 204 while performing the cordless phone software422 processes the receive network packets 226 to produce client data228. The client data 228 is temporarily stored in memory 206 beforebeing transmitted to the clients as part of the multiplex client data230 by the transceiving module 208.

If the requested service is to access to the Internet, the packets210-218 received by the transceiving module 208 are temporarily storedin memory 206 as received packets 220. The processing module 204 evokeseither the email application 412 or the web browser application 410depending on the particular type of Internet access requested. For webbrowsing access, the processing module 204 accesses the web browserapplication 410. For email Internet access, the processing module 204evokes the email application 412. The email applications 412 and webbrowser applications 410 are known, thus no further discussion will beprovided as to their functionality except to further illustrate theconcepts of the present invention.

For web browser access, the processing module 204 evokes the webbrowsing application 410 to process the received packets 220. Suchprocessing yields network data 224, which is provided to the modeminterface 202. The modem interface provides the network data 224 asoutbound modem data 234.

Responses from the Internet are received by modem 426 and provided tothe modem interface 202 as inbound modem data 232. The modem interface202 provides the inbound modem data 232 as received network packets 226to the processing module 204, while executing the web browserapplication 410 produces processed packets which are stored in memory206. The video graphics process application 420 retrieves the processedpackets from memory 206, and performs its associated video graphicsprocessing to produce client display data 422. The memory controller 418retrieves the client display data 422 and provides it as client data 228to transceiving module 208. The transceiving module processes the clientdata 228 to add physical layer overhead information and multiplexes itwith other client data being processed, and transmits the multiplexclient data to the client modules.

For email Internet access, the processing module 204 evokes the emailapplication 412 to process the receive packets 220. The processingyields network data 224 that is provided to the modem 426 as outboundmodem data 234 via the modem interface 202. Email responses are receivedby modem 426 and provided as inbound modem data 232 to the modeminterface 202. The modem interface 202 provides the receive data asreceived network packets 226 to the processing module 204. Theprocessing module 204 performs the email application 412 upon thereceived network packets 226 to yield the processed data. The processeddata is stored in memory 206 and accessed by the video graphicsprocessing application 420. The video graphics processing application420 performs a video graphics processing function upon the processeddata to produce client display data 422. The client display data 422 issubsequently retrieved by memory controller 418 and provided as clientdata 228 to the transceiving module 208.

When only one client is accessing the Internet, the client has exclusiveaccess to modem 426, such that no allocation of the network connectionis needed. In addition, when only one client is accessing the Internet,only one email application and/or one web browser application is openfor the client. Once, however, two or more clients are accessing theInternet, the processing module evokes an email application and/or webbrowser application for each client. In addition, the processing module204 may be executing multiple email applications and/or multiple webbrowser applications for multiple clients. When this is the case,allocation of the modem needs to be shared amongst the clients accessingthe Internet. To do this, the processing module 204 evokes the modemallocation software 414.

The modem allocation software 414 allocates access to modem 426 amongthe plurality of clients. The modem allocation software may be based ona TDMA function, a CSMA function, token ring passing, polling function,et cetera. Accordingly, the processing module 204 provides access to theparticular client based on the modem allocation software 414 such thateach client has substantially equal access to the Internet.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, by storing the emailapplications 412 and web browser applications 410 within the multimediaserver 42, the clients appear to have independent access to theInternet, while in actuality it is shared amongst a plurality ofclients. The video graphics processing applications 420, in combinationwith the email applications and/or web browser applications 410, causethe data corresponding to the processing of the applications to appearas if the client device was processing the applications. As one ofaverage skill in the art will further appreciate, if the client deviceincludes video graphics processing, which is typically included in apersonal computer, then the video graphics processing application 420may be bypassed within the multimedia server 442. Accordingly, theprocessed data by the web browser application 410 or email application412 may be packetized, without producing the client display data 422 andprovided as client data 228 to the respective client device. Therespective client device would then perform its own video graphicsprocess of data to produce the display data. The overall functionalityof multimedia server 42 will be described in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 57-62.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic block diagram of multimedia server 88 ofthe multimedia communication system of FIG. 3. The multimedia server 88includes tuning module 240, channel mixer 242, transceiving module 246,and control module 244. The tuning module 240 includes a plurality ofmultiplexors 430-434, an encoding module 380 and a bus interface module382. The channel mixer 242 includes at least one stream parsing module391, memory controller 394, memory 392, processor 396 and a datatranscoding module 388.

In operation, the control module 244 receives select request 250 fromthe client modules and produces therefrom a set of select commands 252.Each of the select commands is provided to one of the multiplexors430-434. The multiplexors 430-434 each have its inputs coupled to singlechannel video sources such as a DVD player 82, VCR 86, compressed videosource 248, closed circuit television, laser disk player, camcorder, etcetera. Each of the multiplexors 430-434 outputs one of the singlechannel multimedia sources as a selected channel 436 based on therespective select command 252.

The encoding module 380 receives the selected channels 436 from each ofthe multiplexors 430-434 and encodes the selected channels to produceencoded channel data 438. The encoding scheme used by encoding module380 may be multilevel encoding, non-return to zero encoding, Manchesterencoding, block encoding, nB/mB encoding where n<m. The encoded channeldata 438 is provided to the channel mixer 242 as a set of channels 254via the bus interface module 382. As one of average skill in the artwill appreciate, the tuning module 240 has each of the multiplexors430-434 processing requests from an individual client module. Forexample, if only one client module is accessing a single channelmultimedia source, only one multiplexor is evoked to produce theselected channel. As more and more clients access single sourcemultimedia devices, more and more multiplexors are evoked. If multipleclients are accessing the same multimedia source, such as DVD player 82,only one multiplexor is evoked wherein the processing of the selectedchannel for multiple clients includes the identity of the multipleclients and/or the selected channel such that each of the clientsaccessing the same single channel multimedia source will receive thesame data.

The channel mixer 242 receives the set of channels 254 via its streamparsing module 391. In particular, each of the bit stream modules440-446 is monitoring the bus for data related to the particular channelof interest 448 it is processing. Accordingly, each bit stream module440-446 is processing data for a particular client module. Each bitstream module 440-446 receives the set of channels 254 and produces arespective channel of interest 448. As such, the bit stream modules440-446 filter out the data of all other channels but the channel ofinterest. The data corresponding to each channel of interest 448 isstored in memory 392 via memory controller 394.

Processor 396 retrieves the data for each channel of interest 448 andconverts the specific formatted video data into a generic video data.The generic video data is stored in memory 392 via memory controller394.

The data transcoding module 388 retrieves the generic video data frommemory 392 and produces therefrom a stream of channel data 256. Theprocessing performed by the data transcoding module 388 includesconverting the generic video data into specific formatted video data.The specific formatted video data comprises the stream of channel data256.

The transceiving module 246 receives the stream of channel data 256 andproduces therefrom packets of data 268. The transcoding module 246 addsthe physical layer overhead of the particular data conveyance protocolused by the multimedia communication system to produce the packets ofdata 268.

FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic block diagram of multimedia server 102used in the multimedia communication system of FIG. 4. The multimediaserver 102 includes tuning module 208, channel mixer 282, transceivingmodule 286, and control module 284. The tuning module 280 includesmultiplexors 456-460, tuners 450-454, an encoding module 464 and a businterface module 382. The channel mixer 282 includes at least one streamparsing module 392, memory controller 394, memory 392, processing module396, and a data transcoding module 388.

In operation, the control module 284 receives select request 288 from aplurality of client modules. The control module 284 processes the selectrequest 288 to produce a set of select commands 292. The select commandsare provided to one or more of the plurality of tuners 450-454 and/orthe plurality of multiplexors 456-460. The plurality of tuners 450-454have a radio receiver 108 operably coupled to its inputs, where theradio receiver may be an antenna for receiving AM and/or FM radiotransmissions. The tuners 450-454 are constructed of conventionalcircuitry to tune into a particular radio station from a plurality ofradio stations. The construct of such tuners is known, as such nofurther discussion of the functionality or construct of the tuners450-454 will be described except to further illustrate the presentinvention.

Based on the respective select command, each tuner 450-454 selects aparticular channel of the radio channels received. The output of eachtuner is an input for each of the multiplexors 456-460. Each of themultiplexors 456-460 also includes an input for other single audiochannel multimedia sources. Such single audio channel multimedia sourcesinclude CD players 110, DVD audio players 106, digital audio storagedevices 104, et cetera.

Based on the respective select commands 292, each of the multiplexors456-460 outputs a particular selected channel 462. Accordingly, theselected channel 462 may be one of the single audio channel multimediasources or the output of one of the plurality of tuners 450-454.

The encoding module 464 receives the selected channels 462 and encodesthem to produce encoded channel data 468. The encoding performed byencoding module 464 may be one or more of multilevel encoding,non-return to zero encoding, Manchester encoding, block encoding, nB/mBencoding where n<m. The encoded channel data 468 is provided to thechannel mixer 282 via the bus interface module 382.

The channel mixer 282 receives the encoded channel data 468 as a set ofchannels 294. The stream parsing module 392 includes a plurality of bitstream modules 470 through 476, which receive the set of channels 294and extracts data related to a particular channel of interest 478.Accordingly, each bit stream module 470-476 is supporting a particularchannel selection request of a particular client module. Each of the bitstream modules 470 filters out the data of other channels such that onlythe data of the channel of interest is passed. The data corresponding tothe channels of interest 478 is stored in memory 392 via memorycontroller 394.

The processing module 396 retrieves the data corresponding to thechannels of interest 478 from memory 392 and converts the specificformatted audio data into generic formatted audio data. The genericformatted audio data is stored in memory 392. Such generic formattedaudio data may be PCM digitized audio, MP3 audio, MPEG audio, et cetera.

The transcoding module 388 retrieves the generic audio data from memoryand converts it into a specific audio format. Such specific audio formatmay be MP3 audio, MPEG audio, et cetera. The data transcoding module 388provides the specific audio formatted data of a stream of channel data290 to the transceiving module 286. As one of average skill in the artwill appreciate, the data transcoding module 388 may process the audiodata from audio sources in a similar manner as it processes audio datafrom multimedia sources such as a DVD player, CD player, satelliteconnection, et cetera.

The transceiving module 286 converts the stream of channel data 290 intopackets of data 296. The transceiving module utilizes the dataconveyance protocol of the multimedia communication system to addphysical layer overhead to the data of the stream of channel data 290 toproduce packets. The packets are then conveyed to the plurality ofclient modules.

FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic block diagram of multimedia server 132that may be used in the multimedia communication system of FIG. 5. Themultimedia server 132 includes the transceiving module 346 (not shown),the control module 344, the tuning module 340, the channel mixer 342,the processing module 345, and memory 347. The tuning module 340includes a plurality of HDTV tuners 480, a plurality of multiplexors430-434, a plurality of audio tuners 450-454, a second plurality ofmultiplexors 456-458, a modem interface 202, an audio encoding module464, a video/audio encoding module 380, and a bus interface module 382.

The channel mixer 342 includes a first plurality of stream parsingmodules 391, a second plurality of stream parsing modules 390, a thirdplurality of stream parsing modules 393, and a data transcoding module388. The multimedia server 132 may further include, or be operablycoupled to, components within the host device. The host device may be asatellite receiver, cable box, set-top box, home theatre receiver, HDTVtuner, et cetera. The host device includes a host processor 482, amemory bridge 484, host memory 486, and a hard drive 488. To interfacewith the host components, the multimedia server 132 further comprises adirect memory access (DMA) device 490.

In this configuration, the control module 344 receives selection requestvia the host bus and produces therefrom a set of commands 352. The setof commands are provided to individual ones of the HDTV tuners 480, themultiplexors 430-434, the audio tuners 450-454, multiplexors 456-460,and/or the modem interface. As such, each of the elements of the tuningmodule will respond to an individual selection command accordingly.

If an HDTV tuner 480 receives a select command 352, it selects aparticular channel from a satellite or cable source 488. The selectedchannel is provided to the encoding module 380. If one of themultiplexors 430-434 receives a select command, it outputs one of thesingle channel multimedia video sources such as a DVD player 82,compress video 248, VCR 86. The output of the multiplexor 430-434 isprovided to encoding module 380. The encoding module 380 converts theaudio and video data of the single channel into encoded data aspreviously discussed.

If one of the audio tuners 450-454 receives a select command, it selectsa particular radio channel from a plurality of radio channels of radioreceiver 108. The output of the tuner is provided to encoding module464. If one of the multiplexors 456-460 receives a select command, itprovides its output to the encoding module 464. As shown, the inputs tothe multiplexors 456-460 include DVD audio 106, digital audio storage104 and CD 110. The encoding module 464 encodes the received audio dataof a selected channel as previously discussed.

The outputs of encoding module 380 and 464 are provided to the businterface module 382. The bus interface module provides the encoded datato the channel mixing circuit. In addition, the bus interface module 382is operably coupled to the modem interface 202 and to the public switchtelephone network 66. The modem interface and PSTN connection providethe multimedia server 132 the ability to service clients as previouslydescribed with reference to FIGS. 2, 7 and 13.

The stream parsing modules 390, 391 and 393 receive the encoded channeldata and filter the encoded channel data down to a particular channel ofinterest. The data corresponding to the particular channel of interestis stored in memory 347 via memory controller 394. The processing module345 retrieves the data of the channels of interest from memory 347 andconverts the data into generic audio data and/or generic video data. Thegeneric audio and/or video data is stored in memory 347.

The data transcoding module 388 retrieves the generic audio and/or videodata from memory 347 and converts it into a specific audio format, whichis then provided as a stream of data to the transceiving module 346 forconveyance to the plurality of clients.

The hard drive 488 may store the digital audio, which is provided asdigital audio storage 104. Accordingly, the digital audio may be storedin an MP3 format, PCM audio, and/or any means for digitizing for storingdigital audio signals. In addition, the hard drive 488 may function as adigital VCR such that any of the channels of the multimedia sources maybe stored in hard drive 488 and subsequently played back. Accordingly,host memory 486 would include the appropriate software to enable hostprocessor 482 to retrieve the data from hard drive 488 as a digital VCR.

FIG. 17 illustrates a functional diagram of a tuning module, which maybe used in any of the multimedia servers as described in the previousfigures. While the functional diagram of FIG. 17 relates to processingdata utilizing an HDTV tuner, the principles are common for processingdata from any multi-channel multimedia source. For example, theplurality of channels 36 shown in FIG. 17 may correspond to channelsreceived by a satellite connection, cable connection, NTSC connection,PAL connection, broadcast connection, radio receiver connection, etcetera.

As shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of channels 36 includes a channelidentifier and the corresponding audio and/or video data. In thisillustration, channel 001 includes channel 001 audio and video data,channel 002 includes channel 002 audio and video data, et cetera. Asalso illustrated, channel 002, channel 004 and channel 901 have beenselected by different clients to be viewed. Accordingly, the set ofchannel selection commands 160 identifies these particular channels.

HDTV tuners 376, 374 and 480 each process one of the channel selectcommands. As shown, HDTV tuner 376 is processing the channel selectcommand for channel 002, HDTV tuner 374 is processing the channel selectcommand for channel 004 and HDTV tuner 480 is processing the channelselect command for channel 901. As shown, each HDTV tuner 376 receivesall of the plurality of channels 36. The output of each HDTV tuner 376is of its corresponding selected channel. As shown, HDTV tuner 376 isoutputting audio and video data 500 for channel 002, HDTV tuner 374 isoutputting audio and video data 502 for channel 004 and HDTV tuner 480is outputting audio and video data 503 for channel 901.

The audio/video data 500 for channel 002 includes a plurality of frames504-518. Each frame may correspond to an I frame, a B frame, and/or a Pframe of MPEG video data. The audio/video data 500 of channel 002 isprovided to encoding module 380. Similarly, audio/video data 502 ofchannel 004 includes a plurality of frames 520-534 and audio/video data503 of channel 901 includes a plurality of frames 540-554.

The encoding module 380 encodes the audio/video data 500, 502 and 503 ofthe respective channels. The resulting data is encoded channel data 386,which includes a plurality of packets 560, 566, and 572. As one ofaverage skill in the art will appreciate, the packets 560, 566 and 572may also be frames depending on the data conveyance protocol used withinthe multimedia communication system. For packet based transmission,which is illustrated in FIG. 17, the encoding module 380 packetizes datafrom each of the selected channels (for this example, channel 002, 004and 901) in a round-robin fashion. As one of average skill in the artwill appreciate, other schemes may be used to determine which data of aparticular channel of interest will be processed and in what order. Forexample, one channel may have priority over another, which may be thecase for real time transmissions versus non-real time datatransmissions.

In this illustration, packet 560 includes a header portion 564 and adata payload 562. The header section 564 may include identity of theselected channel, type of data of the selected channel, identity of themultimedia source, an indication as to whether the data is encrypted ornot, an indication of the type of encryption, an indication as towhether the data is compressed or not, an indication of the type ofcompression, and/or a packet sequence number. Accordingly, the headerinformation 564 includes all the necessary information for the clientmodules to accurately retrieve the data contained in payload 562. Asshown, a first portion of frame 504 of the audio/video data 500 forchannel 002 is included in payload 562.

Packet 566 includes header information 568 and a payload 570. The headerinformation 568 includes similar information as header 564 but directedtowards data related to audio/video data 502. The payload section 570carries data from a first portion of frame 520 of audio/video data 502.Packet 572 includes header 574 and payload 576. The header 574 includessimilar header information as 564 but directed towards the audio/videodata 503. The payload 576 includes a portion of frame 540.

The next three packets encoded by encoding module 380 will be for thesecond portion of each of frames 504, 520 and 540. The encoding modulewill continue to packetize portions of frames 504, 520 and 540 until theentire frame has been conveyed. Once the entire frame has been conveyed,the encoding module 380 encodes sections of the next frame in thesequence of the audio/video data 500, 502 and 503. The encoded channeldata 386 is then conveyed as packets utilizing carrier sense multipleaccess (CSMA), CSMA with collision avoidance, and/or CSMA with collisiondetection.

While FIG. 17 is illustrated with respect to packetizing the encodedchannel data 386, one of average skill in the art will appreciate thatthe encoding module 380 may utilize a TDMA concept wherein the encodedchannel data 386 is prepared as frames. Accordingly, packets 560, 566and 572 will be replaced by frames where each frame includes a headersection and a data section. The header section includes one or more ofthe identity of the selected channel, the type of data of the selectedchannel, the identity of the multimedia source, an indication as towhether encryption is enabled or disabled, the type of encryption used,an indication as to whether compression is enabled or disabled, anindication of the type of compression, and a frame number. As such, theheader information and the timing of the frames includes sufficientinformation such that the client modules may accurately retrieve thedata contained in the respective data sections or payloads.

The encoded channel data 386 is then conveyed in frames in accordancewith time division multiplexing, and/or frequency division multiplexing.

FIG. 18 illustrates a functional diagram of the channel mixer that maybe used in any one of the multimedia servers of FIGS. 1-11. As shown, aset of channels 162 is received as encoded channel data 386. The encodedchannel data 386 includes a plurality of packets 560, 566 and 572. Eachpacket 560, 566 and 572 includes a header section 564, 568, 574 and apayload section 562, 570 and 576, respectively.

The channel mixer includes a plurality of stream parsing modules 390A,390B and 390C operably coupled to respective bus interfaces 580-584. Therespective bus interfaces 580-584 are receiving each of the plurality ofpackets and reading the header section. When the bus interface module580-584 detects that the particular packet relates to the specificchannel select request 586, 588 or 590, the bus interface provides thepayload section and a portion of the header section to the remainingcircuitry of the stream parsing module 390A, 390B and/or 390C.

Each of the stream parsing modules 390A, B and C are extracting data592, 594 and 596 from the payload of packets corresponding to thespecific channel select request 586, 588 and 590. The data 592, 594 and596 is stored in memory 392 until the entire video frame 504, 520 and/or540 is stored.

Once each of the video frames 504, 520 and 540 is stored, processor396A, B and/or C retrieves the respective data of the correspondingvideo frame 504, 520 or 540 from memory and converts it into genericdata 598, 600, 602. The generic data is stored in memory 392. The datatranscoding module 388 retrieves the generic data 598, 600, 602 frommemory 392 and converts it into a specific video and/or audio dataformat and conveys the converted data as a stream of channel data 166 tothe plurality of clients.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the processors 396A,B and C may process the data of the video frames 504, 520 and 540 as thedata 592, 594 and 596 is being stored in memory. In other words, theprocessors do not have to wait until the entire video frame is stored tobegin converting the data into the generic data 598, 600 and 602.

While FIG. 18 is illustrated with respect to receiving packets ofencoded channel data 386, one of average skill in the art willappreciate that the packets may be frames of data. Accordingly, the businterface modules 580-584 would monitor the bus for frames of data to beprocessed by the respective stream parsing modules 390A, B or C. Thedetermination of the particular frames to retrieve is based on thespecific channel select request 586, 588 or 590. Accordingly, any datarelated to the specific channel select request 586, 588, 590 is obtainedby the corresponding stream parsing module 390A, B or C and convertedinto data 592, 594 or 596.

FIG. 19 illustrates a functional diagram of the tuning module of any ofthe multimedia servers of FIGS. 1-11 processing single video channelmultimedia sources. As shown, multiplexors 430-434 are operably coupledto receive video data from a plurality of single channel multimediasources. Such single channel multimedia sources include DVD players,compressed video storage devices, VCRs, camcorders, etc. As shown, videoframes 614 from a DVD player 82 are provided to each of the multiplexors430-434 as well as MPEG frames 612 of compressed video 248 and digitizedvideo data 610 from a VCR 86. Each of the multiplexors 430-434 isprocessing a separate channel selection request. As illustrated,multiplexor 430 is processing a channel select request for providingvideo frames 614 related to the DVD player 82, multiplexor 432 isprocessing MPEG frame 612 from a compressed video source 248, andmultiplexor 434 is processing the digitized video data 610 from a VCR86.

As shown, the video frame 614 includes a plurality of frames 616-630.The MPEG frame 612 includes a plurality of frames 632-646, while thedigitized video data 610 includes a stream of digitized video data 648.

The encoding module 380 receives the video frame 614, the MPEG frame612, and the digitized video data 610 and encodes the data of thesesources to produce the encoded channel data 438. This may be done in apacketized manner wherein packets 648, 650 and 652 are generated toinclude a header section 654, 658 and 662 and a payload section 656, 660and 664, respectively.

The encoding module 380 encodes a portion of frame 616 into the payload656 of packet 648. Similarly, the encoding module 380 encodes a portionof the digitized video data 648 into the payload 660 of packet 650. Theencoding module 380 also encodes a portion of frame 632 of MPEG frame612 into payload 664 of packet 652. The header sections 654, 658 and 662include header information as previously described with reference toFIG. 17 to enable the client modules to accurately retrieve thecorresponding data.

While FIG. 19 is illustrated with respect to transmitting the encodedchannel data 348 as packets 648, 650 and 652 utilizing a CSMA typephysical layer transmission, the packets 648, 650 and 652 may be framesof data that are transmitted utilizing TDMA and/or FDMA physical layerdata conveyance techniques. As such, the encoded channel data 438 mayinclude a plurality of packets where each packet includes a portion ofone of the video data from one of the plurality of multimedia sourcesand/or frames of data from one of the plurality of multimedia sources.

FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the multimediacommunication system of FIGS. 1-5 wherein the communication path 192 isa wire line connection 670. As shown, the tuning module 150, 240, 280and/or 340 of the multimedia server receives audio/video source inputs674. The audio/video source input 674 may be from one or any of themultimedia sources described in any of the preceding drawings. Thetuning module selects the particular channels from the audio/videosources based on select commands received from control module 156, 244,284 and/or 344.

The control module generates the select commands based on select requestreceived via the transceiving module 154, 208, 246, 286 and/or 346. Thechannel mixer 152, 242, 282 and/or 340 receives the output of the tuningmodule and generates therefrom data for one or more of the clientmodules.

The multimedia server also includes processing module 204 and/or 345 toprocess communication via telecom sources 676. The telecom sourcesinclude Internet connection, PSTN connection and/or client-to-clientcommunications.

The transceiving module 154, 208, 246, 286 and/or 346 includes a router672. The router provides the connectivity to each of the client modules14-22, 46-54, 90-98, 112-120 and/or 134-142. The construct andfunctionality of a router, such as router 672, is known, thus no furtherdiscussion will be presented except to further illustrate the conceptsof the present invention.

With the communication path 192 being a wire line connection, the streamof channel data and the select request are transceived utilizing a typeof transceiving. The type of transceiving may be time divisionmultiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, pulse code modulation,amplitude shift keying, phase shift keying, quadrature phase shiftkeying, quadrature amplitude modulation, carrier sense multiple access(CSMA), CSMA with collision avoidance and/or CSMA with collisiondetection. Accordingly, such a wire line connection 670 transmits andreceives data over the same twisted pair, coaxial cable, in-homenetwork, telephone lines, et cetera.

Alternatively, the wire line connection 670 may include a transmit wireline connection and a receive wire line connection. The stream ofchannel data is transmitted via the transmit wire line connection usinga type of transmission. The type of transmission includes time divisionmultiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), pulse codemodulation (PCM), amplitude shift keying (ASK), phase shift keying(PSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), quadrature amplitudemodulation (QAM), carrier sense multiple access (CSMA), CSMA withcollision avoidance (CA), and/or CSMA with collision detection (CD). Thereceived wire line communication path may be utilized to receive thechannel selects from the client modules. The receive wire lineconnection uses a type of reception that may be TDM, FDM, PCM, ASK, PSK,QPSK, QUM, CSMA, CSMA with CA and CSMA with CD.

Alternatively, if the multimedia communication system is supportingInternet connections, the transmit wire line connection and receive wireline connections are conveying data related to the telecom sources 676.Such data includes packets destined for the Internet, received packetsfrom the Internet, telecommunication data destined for the PSTN, datareceived from the PSTN, and/or client-to-client communication data.

As shown, the router 672 is operably coupled to the channel mixer, thetuning module and to the control module. The router is also operablycoupled to at least one of the client modules. With such aconfiguration, the control module causes the stream of channel data fromthe channel mixer to be formatted based on the type of transceiving toproduce formatted channel data. The router provides the formattedchannel data to the client modules via the wire line connection. Theparticular type of formatting used by the channel mixer is based on thetype of transceiving, which was previously described. In addition, theselection request received by the client modules will be formatted inaccordance with the type of transceiving such that when the routerreceives it, the router appropriately de-formats the data to recapturethe particular selection request. The same applies whether the wire lineconnection 670 is a single path that transceives data or includes areceive and a transmit path.

FIG. 21 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the components of amultimedia server being operably coupled to client modules via acommunication path that is a radio frequency (RF) communication path680. To facilitate the communications via the RF communications via theRF communication path 680, the transceiving module 154, 208, 246, 286and/or 346 of the multimedia server includes an RF transceiving switch678. Similarly, each of the client modules would include an RFtransceiving switch, an RF receiver, and/or and RF transmitter. Theparticular radio frequencies use would be dictated by governmentalagencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).Typically, such in-home frequencies range from the hundreds of megahertzto single digit gigahertz frequency ranges. One particular type of RFin-home application may be dictated by ITC specification 802.11a. The802.11a specification provides the operating parameters for using radiofrequencies for transceiving data within homes and/or over shortdistances.

The RF communication path 680 may utilize a single frequency totransceive data between the multimedia server and the clients, mayinclude a separate frequency for transmitting data and a separatefrequency for receiving data, may include a plurality of frequencies fortransceiving data, may include a plurality of frequencies for receivingdata and a separate plurality of frequencies for transmitting data.

As shown, the RF transceiving switch 678 is operably coupled to theprocessing module 204 and/or 345, the control module 156, 244, 284and/or 344, the tuning module 150, 240, 280 and/or 340, and the channelmixer 152, 242, 282 and/or 342. As configured, the control module causesthe stream of channel data, which is conveyed via the RF communicationpath 680 to the client modules, to be formatted based on the type oftransceiving used. The type of transceiving may be time divisionmultiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), pulse codemodulation (PCM), amplitude shift keying (ASK), phase shift keying(PSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), quadrature amplitudemodulation (QAM), carrier sense multiple access (CSMA), CSMA withcollision avoidance (CA) and CSMA with collision detection (CD).

The RF transceiving switch provides the formatted channel data to theclients during transmitting intervals via the radio frequency path 680.The transmission and receiving intervals will be described in greaterdetail with reference to FIG. 26.

The client module receives the formatted data via the RF path thenprocesses it as previously discussed and will be subsequently discussedin greater detail with reference to FIGS. 50-56. In addition, the clientmodule formats the selection request based on the type of transceivingand then provides the formatted selection request to the transceivingmodule via the RF communication path 680. The RF transceiving switch 678receives the selection request and provides them to the control module.The control module processes the selection request as previouslydescribed and will be subsequently described in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 24-28.

FIG. 22 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimediacommunication system that has the components of a multimedia serveroperably coupled via an infrared communication path 684 to a pluralityof client modules. In this embodiment, the transceiving module 154, 208,246, 286 and/or 346 includes an infrared transceiving switch 682.Similarly, each of the client modules would include a similar IRtransceiving switch. In this embodiment, data is transmitted between themultimedia server and client modules via a single IR communication path684. As such, the IR communication path is divided into transmitportions (i.e., from the multimedia server) to the client modules, andreceive portions (i.e., from the client to the server). Alternatively,the IR path may include a transmit IR path and a receive IR path.

As shown, the IR transceiving switch 682 is operably coupled to theprocessing module, the control module, the tuning module and the channelmixer. As configured, the control module causes the stream of channeldata, which is transmitted via the IR communication path 684 from thetransceiving module to the client module, to be formatted based on thetype of transceiving. As previously mentioned, the type of transceivingincludes TDM, FDM, PCM, ASK, PSK, QPSK, QAM, CSMA, CSMA with CA, andCSMA with CD. The particular data contained in the stream of channeldata is based on selection request received from the client module.

The client module formats the selection request in accordance with thetype of transceiving and conveys the formatted selection requests duringreception intervals via the IR communication path 684 or transmits themvia a separate receive IR path. The transceiving module, upon receivingthe selection request, provides the selection request to the controlmodule, which provides commands to the tuning module, which selects theappropriate channels from the AV sources 674 based on the commands.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the communicationpath 192 between the multimedia server and the plurality of clients mayinclude one or more of the wire line communication path 670 of FIG. 20,the RF communication path 680 of FIG. 21 and the IR communication path684 of FIG. 22. For example, the transceiving path between each of theclient modules may utilize the RF communication path while the receivingpath may be an IR path. As a further example, the client modules withinthe same physical location as the server may be operably coupled via awire line communication path while other client modules in differentlocations within a home utilize an RF communication path. Thus, avariety of communication path combinations may be utilized within thesame multimedia communication system to provide the multimediacommunication services.

FIG. 23 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a multimedia server 700that includes the tuning module 150, 240, 280 and/or 340, the channelmixer 152, 242, 282 and/or 340, the control module 156, 240, 284 and/or344, the transceiving module 154, 208, 246, 286 and/or 346, theprocessing module 204 and/or 345, and a second transceiving module 690.The transceiving module 154, 208, 246, 286 and/or 346 includes an analogmultiplexor 686. In addition to performing the functions as previouslydescribed with reference to the transceiving module, the analogmultiplexor 686 converts the stream of channel data into analog signals688 representing the stream of channel data. Accordingly, the analogmultiplexor 686 may be utilized to interface with client modules coupledto legacy-type analog client devices.

The second transceiving module 690 enables the multimedia server tocommunicate with at least some of the client modules via a secondcommunication path 692. The second communication path 692 may be a wireline connection, RF connection and/or infrared connection. The datatransmitted over the second communication path may be identical to thestream of channel data transmitted by transceiving module 154, 208, 246,286 and/or 346, or separate data. As such, the multimedia server 700 mayservice multiple sets of client modules from the same grouping of audioand/or video sources 674.

The control module 156, 244, 284 and/or 344 includes processing meansfor determining client access privileges for each of the plurality ofclients. Such access privileges include parental control features, timeof access, quantity of access, et cetera. As such, the control moduledetermines for each client selection request whether the request isvalid before providing a selection command to the tuning module. Such afeature gives the operator of the multimedia communication systemcontrol over which A/V resources 674 each client module may access, theamount of access per day, and/or the time of access.

FIG. 24 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for providing multimediaservices to a local area network. The method may be performed by any oneof the multimedia servers illustrated and described in the previousfigures. Accordingly, the operational steps illustrated in FIG. 24 maybe performed by multimedia server 12, 42, 88, 102, 132 and/or 700.

The processing begins when a plurality of channels are received from atleast one multimedia source. The multimedia source may be a satelliteconnection, cable connection, NTSC antenna connection, PAL antennaconnection, HDTV connection, SDTV connection, radio connection, etcetera. In addition, the plurality of channels may be from a pluralityof single channel sources including a DVD player, VCR, closed circuittelevision, laser disk player, camcorder, digital audio storage device(e.g., MP3 player), DVD audio player, CD player, et cetera. Theplurality of channels are continuously received but not processed untilone or more client modules select one or more channels.

The process proceeds to Step 712 where a select request is received fromat least one client module via a communication path. The communicationpath as previously discussed in FIGS. 20-22 may be a radio frequencycommunication path, IR communication path, and/or wire linecommunication path. The selection request may be from one client moduleor a plurality of client modules, each client may be requesting accessto a different channel, the same channel or any combination thereof. Theselection request includes the identity of the particular client moduleand the identity of the particular channel and/or source for thechannel. As such, the selection request includes sufficient informationfor the multimedia server to determine the particular audio and/or videosource of the particular channel and the desired channel. For example,the selection request may indicate that channel 5 of a satellitebroadcast is to be the channel of interest for a particular clientmodule.

The processing then proceeds to Step 714 where a control module withinthe multimedia server generates a set of channel select commands fromthe select request. Accordingly, for each select request received fromthe client modules, the control module, assuming the select request isvalid, generates a corresponding select command. Thus, if only oneclient module has provided a select request, only one select command isgenerated. As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, theselect command is not repeatedly generated from a select request, theselect command is typically generated once and maintained until analternate select request is received or a termination request isreceived.

The processing of generating a set of channel select commands mayfurther be described with reference to Steps 722-724. At Step 722, theselect requests are de-formatted. As previously mentioned, the selectrequests are received via a communication path, which utilizes aparticular data conveyance protocol. The data may be encoded utilizingone of a variety of encoding schemes such as Manchester encoding,non-return to zero encoding, multi-level encoding, block encoding, NB/MBencoding, et cetera. In addition, the encoded data is then modulatedutilizing the particular modulation scheme which may be TDM, FDM, ASK,PSK, et cetera. Accordingly, to recapture the original selectionrequests, the data must be demodulated and decoded.

The process then proceeds to Step 724 where the select request isinterpreted to produce the channel select command. The interpretation ofthe select request includes an authentication process, a verification ofthe particular client module, and a determination of the validity of theclient module. If the client module is an authentic client module andthe service being requested is within the privileges of the particularclient module, the control module will generate the correspondingchannel command.

Returning to the main flow of FIG. 24, the process continues at Step 716where a tuning module selects a set of channels from the plurality ofchannels based on the set of channel select commands. For example, ifonly one channel select command exists, the tuning module will select achannel corresponding to this particular channel select command. If twochannel select commands are being provided to the tuning module, thetuning module selects two channels, one for each selection command.

The process then proceeds to Step 718 where the set of channels aremixed into a stream of channel data. The channel data is mixed in such away as to identify the particular source of the channel data, thedestination of the channel data, the select request, and/or any otheridentifying information needed to ensure that the appropriate clientmodule receives the appropriate data. As one of average skill in the artwill appreciate, the stream of channel data may be stored on a harddrive within the multimedia server for subsequent retrieval and/or use.As such, the multimedia server, via a hard drive and appropriatesoftware, may perform a digital VCR function or like function.

The process then proceeds to Step 720 where the stream of channel datais transmitted via a communication path to the plurality of clientmodules. As previously mentioned, the communication path may be a wireline communication path, RF communication path and/or infraredcommunication path. The transmitting of the stream of channel data maybe further defined with reference to Step 726.

At Step 726, the stream of channel data is formatted for transmissionvia a transceiving module of the multimedia server. The formatting ofthe data includes encoding the data utilizing a particular encodingscheme such as multi-level encoding, non-return to zero encoding,Manchester encoding, block encoding, an nB/mB encoding where n<m. Forexample, the nB/mB encoding may be 4B/5B where 4 bits of original datais converted into 5 bits of encoded data. In addition, depending on theparticular data conveyance protocol used within the communicationsystem, the encoded data is then modulated utilizing one or moremodulation schemes including TDM, FDM, ASK, PSK, PCM, QPSK, QAM, etcetera. The formatting of the stream of data may additionally includeconverting the stream of channel data into analog signals for conveyancein an analog format to one or more of the client modules. The conversionto analog signals may be done in parallel with the conveyance of theformatted stream of channel data. As such, both digital and analogsignals representing the stream of channel data may be transmitted tothe client modules. Accordingly, the analog signals may be transmittedover a different communication path than the digital signals. Inaddition, multiple communication paths may be utilized depending on thecoupling between the client modules and the multimedia servers aspreviously discussed with reference to FIGS. 20-22.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, a single stream ofdata is provided from the multimedia server to the plurality of clientmodules. The stream of channel data includes the data corresponding toeach selection made by the client modules. Thus, each client modulereceives the entire stream of channel data and extracts only the datarelevant to service its particular selection request.

FIG. 25 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further describesStep 720 of FIG. 24 when the communication path is a wire lineconnection. The process begins at Step 730 where a determination is maderegarding the transmitting intervals and the receiving intervals. Thedetermination is made by the control module within the multimedia serverand is based on the traffic loading, pre-defined allocation intervals,et cetera. In addition, the transmitting intervals and receivingintervals are dependent upon whether a single communication path isutilized to receive and transmit data or whether separate transmit andreceive paths are available.

The process then proceeds to Steps 732 and 736. At Step 732 the streamof channel data is formatted based on the type of transceiving. The typeof transceiving corresponds to the modulation scheme utilized, which maybe TDM, FDM, ASK, PCM, PSK, et cetera. The processing then proceeds toStep 734 where the formatted channel data is provided to at least one ofthe plurality of clients during a transmitting interval or multipletransmitting intervals, via the wire line connection.

At Step 732, the multimedia server receives formatted select requestduring receive intervals via the wire line connection. The selectrequests are formatted based on the type of transceiving used within themultimedia communication system. The type of transceiving corresponds tothe modulation scheme utilized, which may be TDM, FDM, ASK, et cetera.

FIG. 26 illustrates a graphical representation of the transmittingintervals and receiving intervals via the communication path. As shown,communication path 746 operably couples multimedia server 738 to aplurality of client modules 740-742. Note that multimedia server 738 maybe any one of the multimedia servers described in reference to FIGS.1-11 and FIG. 23. The client module 740-744 may be any one of the clientmodules discussed in reference to FIGS. 1-11. The communication path 746may be a wire line connection, radio frequency connection, and/orinfrared communication path.

As shown, data conveyed over the communication path 746 may be done inpackets and/or frames. The transmission of packets and/or frames isdivided into transmit intervals 748, 752 and 756 and receive intervals750 and 754. During the transmit intervals 748, 752 and 756, themultimedia server is transmitting the stream of channel data to theplurality of client modules 740-744. During the receive intervals 750and 754, one or more of the client modules 740-744 is transmitting aselection request to the multimedia server.

The client module 740-744 access the receive intervals 750 and 754 basedon any one of a plurality of schemes such as CSMA, token ring passing,polling by the multimedia server 738, TDM access, et cetera.Accordingly, the ratio between the transmit intervals 748 and receivedintervals 750 may be set or may be allocated as needed. For example, thereceive interval 750 and 754 may occur once for every 10-20 transmitintervals 748, 752, 756. Alternatively, the transmit intervals andreceive intervals may be allocated strictly based on a CSMA conceptwhere the multimedia server 738 and each of the client modules 740-744monitor the communication path for transmissions. If the path isavailable, the particular entity transmits its data utilizing CSMA withcollision avoidance and/or CSMA with collision detection. As one ofaverage skill in the art will appreciate, there are numerous ways inwhich data can be conveyed via the communication path 746 betweenmultimedia server 738 and the plurality of client modules 740-744 toensure that the stream of channel data is received by the client modules740-744 and the client modules 740-744 have adequate access to thecommunication path 746 to provide selection commands and/or changes tosuch selections. As a further example, the multimedia server 738 maybroadcast within the stream of channel data, when the communication path746 will be available for transmitting selection request by the clientmodules. In addition, the broadcasting by the multimedia server 738 mayinclude the identity of which client module or client modules may accessthe communication path at the allocated received time.

FIG. 27 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for further processingof Step 720 of FIG. 24 when the communication path is a radio frequencycommunication path. The processing begins at Step 760 where themultimedia server determines the transmitting intervals and receivingintervals. This was described with reference to FIG. 26. The processthen proceeds to Steps 762 or 766. At Step 762, the stream of channeldata is formatted based on the type of transceiving. The process thenproceeds to Step 764 where the formatted channel data is provided to atleast one of the clients during a transmitting interval via the radiofrequency communication path.

At Step 766, the multimedia server receives formatted select requestduring receive intervals on the RF communication path. The selectrequests are formatted based on the type of transceiving.

FIG. 28 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further describesStep 720 of FIG. 24 when the communication path is an infraredcommunication path. The processing begins at Step 770 where thetransmitting intervals and receiving intervals are determined. Theprocess then proceeds to Steps 772 and 776. At Step 772, the stream ofchannel data is formatted based on the type of transceiving. The processthen proceeds to Step 774 where the formatted channel data is providedto at least one client module during transmitting intervals via theinfrared communication path.

At Step 776, the multimedia server receives formatted select requestduring receive intervals on the infrared communication path. The selectrequests are formatted based on the type of transceiving utilized.

FIG. 29 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a tuning module 825that may be utilized as the tuning module 150, 240, 280, and/or 340 asshown in FIGS. 12, 14-16. The tuning module 825 includes a plurality ofselectors 780-786, an encoding module 804, and a bus interface 806 thatprovides connectivity to a shared bus 824. The shared bus 824 is sharedwith the channel mixer processing module and other components of themultimedia servers as shown in FIGS. 12, 14-16. The selectors 780-786may be the plurality of tuners shown in FIG. 12, the multiplexors shownin FIG. 14, the combination of multiplexors and tuners shown in FIG. 15and/or the HDTV tuners shown in FIG. 16. Accordingly, the selectors780-786 are dependent on the particular source providing the pluralityof channel 787.

The encoding module 804 includes a plurality of buffers 808-814, anencoder 816, a buffer controller 818, and a packetizing module 820. Thebuffers 808-814 may be physically separate memory devices or logicallyseparate memory devices. Each of the buffers 808-814 function as a ringbuffer. The buffer controller 818 provides the management of each buffer808-814 including head and tail pointer tracking, and read and writecontrol.

As shown, each of the plurality of selectors 780-786 is operably coupledto receive a plurality of channels 787. Based on a respective channelselect command 796-802, each of the selectors 780-786 outputs anindividual selected channel 788-794. The plurality of channels 787 maybe provided by the multimedia sources previously described withreference to FIGS. 1-11. As one of average skill in the art willappreciate, more or less selectors 780-786 may be included in tuningmodule 825. In addition, one or more of the selectors 780-786 may beidle if a limited number of client modules are accessing the multimediaserver. Accordingly, the encoding module 804 via the buffer controller818 is aware of which selectors 780-786 is actively providing selectedchannel data 788-794.

The buffer controller 818 coordinates the writing of the data of theselected channel 788-794 into the respective buffers 808-814. Inaddition, the buffer controller 818 coordinates the reading of the datafrom each of the buffers 808-814 into the encoder 816. The encoder 816may perform a particular encoding function such as multi-level encoding,non-return to zero encoding, Manchester encoding, block encoding, NB/MBencoding where N>M. Typically, the encoder 816 is utilized to facilitatethe accuracy of data transmission from the tuning module 825 to thechannel mixer of the multimedia server. As one of average skill in theart will appreciate, the encoder 816 may be omitted when the data of theselected channels may be accurately transmitted to the channel mixer.

The packetizing module 820 packetizes the encoded data to produce aplurality of packets. Each packet includes a header section and datasection. The header section includes the identity of the selectedchannel, the type of data of the selected channel (e.g., audio, video,text, et cetera), identity of the particular multimedia source, whetherthe encryption is enabled or disabled, the type of encryption used,whether compression is enabled or disabled, the type of compressionused, and/or a packet sequence number. The packets are provided to businterface 806, which may include a receiving module 826. The businterface provides the packets of encoded set of channels 822 to theshared bus 824.

In addition, the bus interface 806 via the receiving module 826 receivespacket 828. The receiving module 826 processes the packets to retrievethe channel select commands 830. The channel select command 830 iscomprised of the individual channel select commands 796-802. Thereceiving module may include a decoder to decode the data containedwithin the packets to recapture at least a portion of a channel selectcommand. The decoding performed would be the inverse of the encodingused by the client module.

FIG. 30 illustrates a schematic block diagram of tuning module 840 whichmay be used in any one of the multimedia servers illustrated in FIGS.12, 14-16. The tuning module 840 is very similar to tuning module 825 ofFIG. 29 with the difference that the encoding module 804 includes aframing module 842 instead of a packetizing module 820. In addition, thebus interface 806 includes a monitoring module 844 as opposed to areceiving module 826.

In operation, the selectors 780-786 select a particular channel 788-794based on a channel select command 796-802 from a plurality of channels787. Buffers 808-814 store the data of the selected channel 788-794. Theencoder 816 encodes the data to produce encoded channel data. Theencoded channel data is received by framing module 842, which frames thedata of each of the selected channels into frames that include a headersection and data section. The header section includes the identity ofthe selected channel, the type of selected channel, the identity of themultimedia source, indication as to whether encryption is enabled ordisabled, the type of encryption used, an indication as to whethercompression is enabled or disabled, the type of compression, and/or aframe number.

The bus interface 806 receives the framed data and provides it asencoded set of channels 802 on to the shared bus 824. In addition, thebus interface 806 receives frames 846 from the shared bus. Themonitoring module 844 interprets the frames 846 at specific timeintervals to extract channel select commands 848.

FIG. 31 illustrates a schematic block diagram of another embodiment ofthe tuning module 850. The tuning module 850 may be utilized in any oneof the multimedia servers illustrated in FIGS. 12, 14-16. The tuningmodule 850 includes a plurality of selectors 780-786, a data compressionmodule 862, an encryption module 860, the encoding module 804, the businterface 806, the bus controller 870, a decoding module 852, adecrypting module 864, and a decompressing module 868. The bus interface806 is controlled via the bus controller 870, which controls thereceiving of the channel select commands and further controls thetransmitting of encoded channel data.

In operation, the tuning module 850 receives select commands from theshared bus 824 via the bus interface 806. The bus interface 806 providesthe received channel select commands to the decoding module 852. Thedecoding module 852 includes a deframer or depacketizer module 854, adecoder 856, and a buffer 858. The deframer or depacketizer 854 extractsdata from a received frame or from a received packet. The deframed ordepacketized data is provided to the decoder 856. The decoder recapturesthe original data of the selection request by utilizing the inversefunction of the encoder within the client module. As such, if the clientmodule used Manchester encoding, the decoder would use the inverseManchester encoding function to recapture the data. The recaptured datais then stored in buffer 858.

If the data is unencrypted and is not compressed, the recaptured data isprovided to control module 156, 244, 284, and/or 344. Based on thechannel select request, the control module generates a plurality ofchannel select commands 796-802. The control module provides the channelselect commands to the plurality of selectors 780-786.

If, however, the selection request is encrypted and/or compressed, theencrypted data would be provided to decryption module 864. Decryptionmodule 864 decrypts the data based on the encryption/decryption schemeutilized. For example, if the client module utilized a data encryptionstandard (DES) encryption technique, the decryption module would use thecorresponding decryption scheme to recapture the data.

If the data is also compressed, the decrypted data or the data frombuffer 858 is provided to the decompressing module 868. Thedecompressing module 868 utilizes the inverse function that was used tocompress the data. As such, the recaptured data, which has either beendecrypted and/or decompressed, is provided to the control module, whichproduces the corresponding channel select commands 796-802.

The selectors 786-780 output a selected channel 788-794 based on therespective channel select commands 796-802 from a plurality of channels787. The plurality of selected channels 788-794 may be provided to adata compression module 862, an encryption module 860, and/or directlyto the encoding module 804.

If the selected channels 788-794 are to be compressed, the datacompression module 862 utilizes a data compression scheme to compressthe data. The data compression scheme may be a zip-type function orother known data compression techniques. If the compressed data is toalso be encrypted, it is provided to encrypting module 860.Alternatively, if the compressed data is to be processed withoutencryption, it would be provided directly to encoding module 804.

If the data is to be encrypted, encrypting module 860 utilizes anencryption scheme to encrypt the data of the selected channels 788-794.The encryption scheme utilized may be any one of a variety of knownencryption schemes such as DES, PGP (pretty good protection), et cetera.The encrypted data 860 is then provided to encoding module 804, whichsubsequently encodes the data and provides the encoded data to businterface 806 for transmission on the shared bus 824. As previouslymentioned, the encoder of the encoding module 804 may be omitted suchthat the encrypted data may be transmitted directly onto the shared buswithout further encoding.

FIG. 32 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an alternate tuningmodule 880 that may be utilized in any one of the multimedia serversillustrated in FIGS. 12, 14-16. The tuning module 880 includes aprocessing module 882 and memory 884. The processing module 882 may be asingle processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, microcontroller,microcomputer, digital signal processor, programmable gate array,central processing unit, state machine, logic circuitry, and/or anydevice that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based onoperational instructions. The memory 84 may be a single memory device ora plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-onlymemory device, random access memory device, flash memory, magnetic tapememory, system memory, erasable read-only memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. Note that when the processing module 882implements one or more of its functions via a state machine or logiccircuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsis embedded within the circuitry comprised in the state machine or logiccircuit. The operational instructions stored in memory 884 and executedby processing module 882 have generally been discussed with reference tothe preceding figures and is further illustrated with reference to FIGS.33-37.

FIG. 33 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for multiplexing aplurality of channels in a multimedia system via a tuning module. Theprocessing begins at Step 890 where a plurality of channels is receivedfrom a multimedia source. The receiving of the plurality of channels mayfurther include one or more of: receiving audio and video data for eachof a plurality of channels from a satellite connection; receiving audioand video data for each of a plurality of channels from a set-top box;receiving audio and video data for each of a plurality of channels froma cable connection; receiving audio and video data for each of theplurality of channels from a high definition television receiver;receiving audio and video data for each of the plurality of channelsfrom an antenna connection which receives NTSC broadcasts, PALbroadcasts, et cetera. Accordingly, the plurality of channels may befrom a single multimedia source or a plurality of multimedia sources.

The process then proceeds to Step 892 where a plurality of channelselection commands are received. The plurality of channel selectioncommands are derived from select requests provided by a plurality ofclient modules wherein each of the channel select commands identifies aparticular channel of the plurality of channels. The processing thencontinues at Step 894 where a channel of the plurality of channels isselected per channel selection command. Note that the selected channelmay be from any one of a plurality of multimedia sources.

The process then proceeds to Step 896 where each of the selectedchannels is encoded based on a data conveyance protocol of themultimedia system. The encoding may be multi-level encoding, non-returnto zero encoding, Manchester encoding, block encoding, and/or nB/mBencoding where n<m.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, high definitiontelevision, satellite receivers, set-top boxes, et cetera typicallyutilize MPEG video data. As such, in the typical 6 MHz bandwidth forNTSC channel separation, compressed video includes multiple channels inthe same frequency band. Thus, when a particular channel is selectedfrom one of these multimedia sources, multiple compressed channels maybe retrieved. Accordingly, each of the compressed channels may beencoded as described in Step 896. As one of average skill in the artwill further appreciate, prior to the encoding of Step 896, the data maybe compressed via a compression technique and/or encrypted utilizing anencryption technique.

The process then proceeds to Step 898 where the encoded channel data isconveyed to the channel mixer. The conveying of the encoded data may bedone by framing the data from each of the selected channels into framesthat include a header section and a data section. Alternatively, theencoded channel data may be packetized into packets that include aheader section and a data section. The header section of either a packetor frame includes the identity of the selected channel, type of data ofthe selected channel, the identity of the multimedia source, whetherencryption is enabled or disabled, the type of encryption used, anindication as to whether compression is enabled or disabled, the type ofcompression, and/or a packet or frame number.

FIG. 34 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further defines thereceiving of the channel select commands as described generally in Step892 of FIG. 33. The processing begins at Step 900 where the channelselect requests are received from a plurality of client modules. Theprocess then proceeds to Step 902 where the channel select requests areprocessed to produce the plurality of channel select commands. Each ofthe channel select commands include a specific channel select command,less channel selection command, next channel selection command, previouschannel selection command, favorite channel selection command, and/orselect channel from a user defined list. Such a command corresponds tothe particular request by the client and/or a default processing schemeused within the multimedia server. Accordingly, when a particular clientmakes a request, the tuning module will interpret the request in lightof one of these particular multimedia channel selection schemes.

The processing of the plurality of selection requests may be done in oneor more of Steps 904-908. At Step 904, the channel select request isinterpreted to identify at least one of the clients. In addition, therequest is interpreted to determine the particular channel selectionrequest being made. Based on this information, the channel command maybe generated.

At Step 906, the client initiating the selection request isauthenticated. The authentication determines whether the client is avalid client of the multimedia server. At Step 908, the specific channelselection request made by a client is authenticated. This may be done bydetermining whether the client has access privileges for the particularchannel being requested, whether the request is being made within anapproved time of the day, and/or whether a time allotment of accessingmultimedia sources has been exceeded. In addition, the authentication ofthe specific channel request may include determining whether the clientis authorized to purchase the requested channel from one of themultimedia sources (e.g., whether the client is authorized to access paypreview channels), and/or whether the client has exceeded in the countlimit established by the multimedia server.

FIG. 35 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for receiving thechannel selection commands of Step 892 of FIG. 33. The process may beginat Step 910, 916 and/or at Step 922. At Step 910, the tuning modulemonitors packets on a shared bus. The packets, as previously described,include a header section and data section. The process then proceeds toStep 912 where the tuning module identifies at least one of the packetsas containing at least a portion of one of the plurality of channelselection commands.

The process then proceeds to Step 914 where the tuning module decodesthe at least one packet based on the data convention protocol of themultimedia system to recapture at least a portion of one of theplurality of channel select commands. Such decoding includesinterpreting the header section, extracting the data from the datasection, and determining whether the extracted data contains all of thedata of a channel select command or partial data of a channel selectcommand. If the data extracted is a partial select request, it isbuffered until all of the data related to the channel select command isreceived.

At Step 916, the tuning module monitors a shared bus at specific timeintervals for frames of relevant data. The process then proceeds to Step918 where the tuning module identifies a data frame at one or thespecific time intervals to contain at least a portion of one of theplurality of channel select commands. The process then proceeds to Step920 where the tuning module decodes the data frame based on the dataconvention protocol to recapture at least a portion of one of thechannel select commands. The decoding includes interpreting the headersection, extracting the data from the data section, and determiningwhether the data contains a full channel selection command or a partialone. If partial, the data is buffered until a full channel selectcommand has been received.

At Step 922, the tuning module decrypts each of the plurality of channelselect commands. In addition, at Step 924, the tuning moduledecompresses each of the channel select commands.

FIG. 36 illustrates a logic diagram of an alternate method formultiplexing a plurality of channels in a multimedia system by a tuningmodule. The processing begins at Step 930 where a channel from aplurality of multimedia sources is received to produce a plurality ofchannels. The multimedia sources may be a DVD player, CD player,camcorder, VCR, DVD audio player, et cetera. The process then proceedsto Step 932 where the tuning module receives a plurality of channelselect commands. The process then proceeds to Step 934 where the tuningmodule selects a channel from the plurality of channels for each of thechannel select commands received.

The process then proceeds to Step 936 where the tuning module encodeseach of the selected channels based on a data convention protocol of themultimedia system. The encoding includes multi-level encoding,non-return to zero encoding, Manchester encoding, block encoding, and/ornB/mB encoding where n<m. Note that prior to encoding, the data of eachselected channel may be compressed and/or encrypted. The process thenproceeds to Step 938 where the encoded channel data is conveyed to thechannel mixer. The data may be conveyed as packets utilizing CSMA, CSMAwith collision avoidance and/or CSMA with collision detection.Alternatively, the data may be conveyed as frames, which will betransmitted in specific time slots for time division multiplexing and/orfrequency positions for frequency division multiplexing.

FIG. 37 illustrates a logic diagram of further processing of Step 932 ofFIG. 36. At Step 940, the tuning module receives the channel selectrequest from a plurality of client modules. The process then proceeds toStep 942 where the tuning module, and/or control module, processes theplurality of channel selection requests to produce the plurality ofchannel selection commands. The processing of the channel select requestmay be done as described in Steps 944, 946, and/or 948.

At Step 944, the control module interprets a channel select request toidentify the particular client and the particular request being made. Ifboth are valid, the channel selection command is generated.

At Step 946, the control module authenticates the client that providedthe specific channel selection request. The authentication of the clientverifies that the client is an authorized user of the multimedia system.

At Step 948, the control module authenticates the specific channelselection request. The authentication of the channel selection requestincludes determining parental control limits, subscription verification,account limits, time of day of the request, and/or amount of multimediaservice accessing over a given duration.

FIG. 38 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a channel mixer 950.The channel mixer 950 may be utilized in any one of the multimediaservers described in FIGS. 1-15. The channel mixer 950 includes a streamparsing module 951, memory controller 952, memory 956 and a datatranscoding module 954.

The stream parsing module 951 is operably coupled to receive the encodedchannel data 958 from the tuning module. The stream parsing module 951decodes the encoded channel data 958 to recapture the original data. Thestream parsing module 951 then converts the data of each of the selectedchannels into generic data 960. The stream parsing module 951 stores thegeneric data 960 in memory 956 via the memory controller 952.

The stream parsing module 951 conveys control information 964 and data966 with the transcoding module 954. The control information includesthe channel select request 968. As such, based on the controlinformation, which includes the channel selection request, the streamparsing module 951 processes the encoded channel data 958 to produce thegeneric data 960.

The data transcoding module 954 retrieves the generic data 960 frommemory 956 via the memory controller 952. The data transcoding module954 converts the generic data 960 into a stream of data 962. Theconversion of the generic data 960 is dependent upon the particular typeof data. For example, video data may be stored as digital RGB data,digital YCRCB data, digitized video, et cetera. The transcoding moduleretrieves the generic video data and converts it into a specificformatted video data, such as MPEG 2, and provides that as the stream ofdata 962.

If the data is audio data, the audio data is stored as generic PCM audiodata in memory 956. The data transcoding module 954 converts the genericPCM digitized audio data into MP3 data, MPEG audio data, et cetera. Ifthe encoded channel data 958 includes network data, the stream parsingmodule 951 passes the network data to be stored in memory 956. The datatranscoding module retrieves the network data and passes it as thestream of data 962.

FIG. 39 illustrates a channel mixer 980 operably coupled to componentsof a device hosting the multimedia server. The channel mixer 980 may beany of the channel mixers used in the multimedia servers previouslydescribed. The host device includes a system bus 976, a host processor970, a memory bridge 972 and system memory 974. The host device may be apersonal computer, laptop computer, satellite receiver, set top box,home theater receiver, radio receiver, VCR, DVD, etc.

The channel mixer 980 includes a plurality of stream parsing modules951, memory controller 952, and the data transcoding module 954. Theplurality of stream parsing modules 951 is operably coupled to thetuning module 984. The tuning module 984 provides the encoded channeldata 958 to the channel mixer 980. In this embodiment, each of thestream parsing modules 951 may be processing a particular channelselection request for a particular client module.

Each of the stream parsing modules 951 provides generic data 960 tomemory 956 via the memory controller 952. The transcoding module 954converts the generic data 960 into the stream of data 962 and providesit to the transceiving module 982 via the system bus 976.

The transceiving module 982 includes an encoder and modulator forpreparing the stream of data 962 for transmission to the client modules.In addition, the transcoding module 982 includes a demodulator anddecoder for receiving the channel select commands from the plurality ofclient modules.

The transceiving module 982 provides the channel select commands to thechannel mixer 980 via the system bus interface 977. As coupled, the hostprocessor 970 may perform system operational functions for themultimedia server via algorithms stored in the system memory 970. Suchsystem level functions may be allocation of system multimedia resources,managing Internet access, client-to-client communications, telephonecommunications, et cetera. As such, system level functions will bedescribed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 57-65.

FIG. 40 illustrates a schematic block diagram of another channel mixer1000 that may be utilized in any one of the previously discussedmultimedia servers. The channel mixer 1000 includes the stream parsingmodule 951 and may further include multiple stream parsing modules 951,a digital to analog converter 1006, a decode instruction packet module998, IDCT module 1027, motion compensation 1023, and the transcodingmodule 954. The transcoding module 954, for video signals, includes aMPEG decoding module 1004 and an MPEG encoding module 1002. For audiosignals, the transcoding module 954 would include a PCM decoding moduleand a PCM encoding module.

The MPEG encoding module 1002 includes a buffered motion predictor 1018,a discrete cosigned transform module 1020, a quantizer 1022, zigzagmodule 1021, a Huffman encoder 1024 and an output bit bucket 1026. TheMPEG decoding module 1004 includes a dezigzag and dequantizer module1010, an inverse discrete cosign transform module 1012, a macro-blockbuffer 1014 and a motion compensation and scaling module 1016. Thefunctionality of motion compensation and scaling module 1016 and thebuffered motion predictor 1018 are further described in co-pendingpatent applications entitled, ADAPTIVE BANDWIDTH FOOTPRINT MATCHING FORMULTIPLE COMPRESSED VIDEO STREAMS IN A FIXED BANDWIDTH NETWORK andDEVICE AND METHOD FOR COMPRESSION OF A VIDEO STREAM having a docketnumber VIXS001 and VIXS002. The remaining elements of the MPEG decodingmodule 1004 and MPEG encoding module 1002 are known, thus no furtherdiscussion will be provided except to further illustrate the concepts ofthe present invention.

Each of the stream parsing modules 951 includes a processor 992, aninput bit bucket 996, memory controller 952, memory 956, a plurality ofbit stream modules 990, a direct memory access interface 1028 and aHuffman decoder 1008. Each of the bit stream modules 990 includes aninterpreter 994. In operation, each of the bit stream modules 990 isoperably coupled to process one channel of interest of the encodedchannel data 958. The interpreter 994 is utilized to identify which ofthe channels the particular bit stream module is to process. The bitstream module then filters the channel of interest such that all othersare removed. The output of each of the bit stream modules 990 is storedin memory 956 via memory controller 952.

The processor 992 retrieves the data of each channel of interest frommemory 956 and converts it into generic data 960. The processor 992causes the generic data 960 to be stored in memory 956 via the memorycontroller. The processing 992 may utilize the input bit bucket 996 toretrieve bytes of data from the memory 956 in a bit stream fashion. Assuch, the input bit bucket 996 performs the function of converting bytesof data, which are stored in memory, into bits of data, which areprocessed by processor 996. The input bit bucket 996 may be utilized toretrieve any type of data from memory 956 by processor 992.

The MPEG encoding module 1002 retrieves the generic data 960 under thecontrol of the decoder instruction packet module 998. The bufferedmotion predictor 1018 receives the generic data 960 and producestherefrom motion compensated data. The motion compensated data isprovided to the DCT module 1020, which performs a discrete cosinetransform upon the data to produce DCT data. The quantizer and zigzagmodule 1022 receives the DCT data and quantizes it and zigzags it beforeproviding the processed data to a Huffman encoder 1024. The Huffmanencoder encodes the data to produce the specific formatted data, whichis provided back to memory 956 via the output bit bucket 1026 via memorycontroller 952. The output bit bucket 1026 converts the bits receivedfrom the Huffman encoder 1024 and provides it as bytes of data to memorycontroller 952.

The memory controller 952 retrieves the MPEG encoded data from memory956 and provides it as a stream of data 962 via the DMA interface 1028to the system bus 976. The transceiving module retrieves the stream ofdata 962 from the system bus and processes it as previously discussed.

The MPEG decoder module 1004 may be utilized to decode incoming MPEGdata to produce the generic data 960 and/or to decode MPEG encoded datareceived from client modules. The MPEG decoding module 1004, under theinstruction of the decode instruction packet module 998 receives MPEGencoded data and dezigzags and dequantizes it via the dezigzag anddequantizer module 1010. The dezigzag and dequantized data is providedto the IDCT module 1012 which performs an inverse discrete cosinetransform function upon the data. The resulting data is then eitherprovided to macroblock buffer 1014 or provided to memory 956 via memorycontroller 952. The motion compensation and scaler module 1016, underthe control of the decoder instruction packet module 998, retrieves dataeither from the macroblock buffer 1014 or from memory 956 to perform amotion compensation and scaling function thereon. The resulting data isthen either provided back to memory 956 or to the MPEG encoding module1002.

The digital to analog converter 1006 is operably coupled to receive thestream of data 962 and convert it into analog signals 1030. The analogsignals 1030 may be provided to legacy-type client devices that stilltransceive data in an analog format.

FIG. 41 illustrates a schematic block diagram of another channel mixer1040, which may be utilized in any one of the previously describedmultimedia servers. The channel mixer 1040 includes a processing module1042 and memory 1044. The processing module 1042 may be a singleprocessing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such aprocessing device may be a microprocessor, microcontroller,microcomputer, central processing unit, digital signal processor,programmable gate array, logic circuitry, state machine and/or anydevice that manipulates signals (analog or digital) based on operationalinstructions. The memory 1044 may be a single memory device or aplurality of memory devices. Such a memory device may be a read-onlymemory, random access memory, system memory, flash memory, magnetic tapememory, hard drive memory, and/or any device that stores digitalinformation. Note that when the processing module 1042 performs one ormore of its functions via a state machine or logic circuitry, the memorystoring the corresponding operational instructions is embedded withinthe circuitry comprising the state machine or logic circuitry. Thechannel mixer 1040 performs the functions as generally described in thepreceding figures and further performs the functions described in FIGS.42-49.

FIG. 42 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for mixing channelswithin a multimedia system. The process begins at Step 1050 where a setof channels is received as encoded channel data. The process thenproceeds to Step 1051 where the channel mixer interprets the encodedchannel data to identify a channel of interest for each specific channelselection request it is processing. For example, the set of channels maybe received as packets containing the encoded channel data from a tuningmodule. Each packet includes a header section and a payload section. Theencoded channel data may be interpreted by reviewing the header sectionto identify the particular channel of interest. The channel of interestmay be identified based on the identity of a source of the channel data,the identity of the client requesting it, and/or the multimediaresources processing the channel request.

If the channel of interest is included within a group of compressedvideo channels, as would be the case for MPEG 2 encoded video data, thechannel of interest is retrieved from one of the group of compressedvideo channels based on header information contained within the packetstransporting the encoded channel data. Having identified the particularchannel of interest, it is isolated from the group of compressed videochannels.

The interpretation of Step 1051 may further be described with referenceto Step 1056-1060. At Step 1056, the channel mixer interprets theencoded channel data to identify a series of channels of interest fromthe set of channels based on a corresponding series of channel selectionrequest. In other words, the channel mixer is identifying each channelof interest for each channel selection request being processed. Theprocess then proceeds to Step 1058 where the channel mixer processesdata each of the series of channels of interest based on the type ofchannel to produce a series of generic data. The type of channel may beaudio data, video data, text data, and/or a combination thereof. Theprocessing then proceeds to Step 1060 where the series of generic datais converted into a stream of data.

Returning to the main flow of FIG. 42 with processing of a singlechannel selection request, the process continues at Step 1052 where thechannel mixer processes data of the channel of interest based on thetype of channel to produce generic data. The processing may includedecoding the data, filtering the data to isolate the particular channelof interest and then converting the data to the generic data based onthe type of data. For example, when the type of data is multi-channelcompress video, the processing includes filtering the multi-channelcompress video to produce the channel of interest. The channel ofinterest is then converted to generic data, which will be described ingreater detail with reference to FIGS. 43 and 44.

Continuing with the examples of the type of data, when the type of datais single channel compress video, the processing includes passing thesingle channel compress video as the channel of interest. When the typeof data is multi-channel digitized video data, the multi-channel digitalvideo data is filtered to produce the channel of interest; when the typeof data is single channel digitized video data, it is passed as thechannel of interest; when the type of data is multi-channel digitalaudio, it is filtered to produce the channel of interest; when the typeof data is single channel digital audio, it is passed as the channel ofinterest; and, when the type of data is network carrier data, it ispassed as the channel of interest. As such, the channel of interest isthen converted to the generic data. The process then proceeds to Step1054 where the generic data is converted into a stream of data.

FIG. 43 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further describesthe processing of the data of the channel of interest as generallydescribed in Step 1052 of FIG. 42. The processing may be done in any oneor more of Steps 1070-1082. At Step 1070, the channel mixer convertsvideo data of the channel of interest into generic video data when thetype of data is multi-channel compressed video. Typically, multi-channelcompress video will be received via a satellite connection where thedata is MPEG, or other MPEG standardized encoding.

At Step 1072, the channel mixer converts video data of the channel ofinterest into generic video data when the type of data is single channelcompress video. Single channel compress video may be from a DVD playeror other source that produces a single channel of MPEG 2, or other MPEGstandard, encoded video data.

At Step 1074, the channel mixer converts video data of the channel ofinterest into generic data when the type of data is multi-channeldigitized video data. The multi-channel digitized video data may bereceived from a plurality of NTSC television tuners, et cetera.

At Step 1076, the channel mixer converts video data of the channel ofinterest into generic video data when the type of data is single channeldigitized video data. The single channel digitized video data may bereceived as the output of a VCR, output of a DVD player to a standardantenna or cable connection of a television set, an NTSC televisiontuner, et cetera.

At Step 1078, the channel mixer converts audio data of the channel ofinterest into generic audio data when the type of audio data ismulti-channel digital audio. Multi-channel digital audio signals may bereceived from a satellite broadcast, or from multiple digital audiosources, such as a CD player, DVD audio player, et cetera.

At Step 1080, the channel mixer converts audio data of the channel ofinterest into generic audio data when the type of audio data is singlechannel digital audio. The single channel digital audio may be receivedfrom a CD player, MP3 player, system memory that is storing digitizedaudio, DVD audio player, et cetera.

At Step 1082, the channel mixer passes network data as the channel ofinterest when the data being processed is network data. Network datacorresponds to one or more client modules accessing the Internet,participating in a telephone conversation via the PSTN, and/orclient-to-client communication.

FIG. 44 illustrates a logic diagram that further defines the processingof the data of Step 1052 of FIG. 42 when the data is being convertedinto generic video data. This may be done in one or more of Steps1084-1092.

At Step 1084, the channel mixer converts the video data of the channelof interest into MPEG formatted video data. The video data may be themultiple compress video, the single channel compress video, themulti-channel digitized video data, and/or the single channel digitizedvideo data.

At Step 1086, the channel mixer converts the video data of the channelof interest into JPEG formatted video data. At Step 1088, the channelmixer converts the video data of the channel of interest into M-JPEGformatted video data.

At Step 1090, the channel mixer converts the video data of the channelof interest into digital RGB video data. The digital RGB data may bestored in the associated memory device of the multimedia server, storedin the host system memory, et cetera.

At Step 1092, the channel mixer converts the video data of the channelof interest into digital YCBCR video data. The digital YCBCR video datamay be stored in the multimedia server memory, the host system memoryassociated with the multimedia server, et cetera.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the incoming videodata from a plurality of multimedia sources may be in a variety of videoformats including digitized audio MPEG 1, MPEG 2, et cetera, analogformat, et cetera. The various formatted video data is converted by thechannel mixer into a generic video format, which may be MPEG, JPEG,M-JPEG, digital RGB video data, digital YCBCR video data, and/or anyother conventional technique for storing video information in a digitalformat.

FIG. 45 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further defines theprocessing of Step 1052 of FIG. 42 when audio data is being convertedinto generic audio data. The processing may be done by implementing oneor more of Steps 1100-1104.

At Step 1100, the channel mixer converts the audio data of the channelof interest into MPEG formatted audio data. At Step 1102, the channelmixer converts the audio data of the channel of interest into MP3formatted audio data. At Step 1104, the channel mixer converts the audiodata of the channel of interest into PCM digitized audio data.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, the multimediaserver may receive a plurality of audio signals having various audiodata formats. The channel mixer converts the various audio formats intoa single audio format such as MPEG audio, MP3 audio, and/or PCMdigitized audio. As one of average skill in the art will furtherappreciate, by converting video data and audio data into generic dataformats, the multimedia server more readily processes it. The processingof the generic data has been generally described to convert the genericdata into a specific formatted data (e.g., MPEG 2 video and audio),before transmission to the plurality of clients.

FIG. 46 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further describesthe converting of the generic data into a stream of data of Step 1054 ofFIG. 42. The processing begins at Step 1110 where the channel mixerdetermines the type of data of the channel of interest. The processingthen proceeds to Step 1112 where the channel mixer converts the genericdata into the stream of data based on the type of data. The conversionprocessing at Step 1112 may be further described in one or more of Steps1114-1126.

At Step 1114, the channel mixer converts the generic video data of thechannel of interest into specific video data when the original data wasmulti-channel compressed video. The specific video data may be inaccordance with the MPEG 2 standard, MPEG 1 standard, and/or any of theother MPEG standards, or other standardized process for conveyingdigitized video.

At Step 1116, the channel mixer converts the generic video data of thechannel of interest into the specific video data when the original videodata was a single channel compressed video signal. At Step 1118, thechannel mixer converts the generic video data of the channel of interestinto the specific video data when the original video data wasmulti-channel digitized video data. At Step 1120, the channel mixerconverts the generic video data of the channel of interest into thespecific video data when the original video data was a single channeldigitized video signal.

At Step 1122, the channel mixer converts the generic audio data of thechannel of interest into specific audio data when the original audiodata was multi-channel digital audio. At Step 1124, the channel mixerconverts the generic audio data of the channel of interest into specificaudio data when the type of data is single channel digital audio. Notethat the specific audio data may be in accordance with the MPEG 2format, MP3 format, PCM encoded audio, et cetera.

At Step 1126, the channel mixer passes network data of the channel ofinterest without conversion to a specific format. Accordingly, thenetwork data is passed via the channel mixer without conversion to aspecific format, however, it is mixed with the other channels ofinterest to produce the stream of channel data.

FIG. 47 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for converting thegeneric video data of the channel of interest into an MPEG 2 specificvideo data format. The processing begins at Step 1130 where the channelmixer performs a motion prediction on the generic video data to producemotion prediction data. The process then proceeds to Step 1132 where thechannel mixer performs a discrete cosine transform on the motionprediction data to produce DCT data. The process then proceeds to Step1134 where the channel mixer quantizes the DCT data to produce quantizeddata. The process then proceeds to Step 1136 where the channel mixerzigzags processes the quantized data to produce ZZ data. The processthen proceeds to Step 1138 where the channel mixer Huffman encodes theZZ data to produce the MPEG 2 specific video formatted data. As one ofaverage skill in the art will appreciate, Steps 1130-1138 are known inthe art, thus no further discussion will be presented except to furtherillustrate the concepts of the present invention.

FIG. 48 illustrates a logic diagram that further defines the processingof Step 1052 of FIG. 42. The processing begins at Step 1140 where thechannel mixer receives a control signal that indicates multiple channelprocessing, when the channel of interest is a compressed video signaland one of many compressed video channels. The process then proceeds toStep 1142 where the channel mixer decompresses the multiple compressedvideo channels to produce multiple channels. The process then proceedsto Step 1144 where the channel mixer processes data of the multiplechannels based on the type of channel to produce multiple generic data.The process then proceeds to Step 1146 where the channel mixer convertsthe multiple generic data into the stream of data.

As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, MPEG encoded videoreceived via a satellite connection, or other type connection, typicallyincludes multiple channels within a typical 6 Mhz band. As such,multiple channels are received within the typical single channel band.As such, the video for the channels in the single channel band aredecompressed to retrieve the actual video data. From there, the channelof interest may be extracted and processed accordingly, or all of thechannels within the band may be processed into the stream of data.

As one of average skill in the art will further appreciate, the streamof data is essentially a multiplexing of the specific formatted videodata for each of the channel of interest. As such, when two channels ofinterest are being conveyed to the plurality of client modules, eachchannel comprises approximately 50% of the stream of data. Accordingly,as the number of channels of interest is being processed, thecorresponding percentage of the stream of data decreases but decreasesproportionally.

FIG. 49 illustrates an alternate logic diagram of a method for channelmixing of signals within a multimedia communication system. The processbegins at Step 1150 where a channel mixer receives a set of channels asencoded channel data. The process then proceeds to Step 1152 where thechannel mixer interprets the encoded channel data to identify the typeof data of a particular channel of interest contained within the set ofchannels. The interpretation is based on a specific channel selectionrequest received via one of the plurality of clients. The encodedchannel data may be received in packets and/or frames where the packetsand frames each include a header section that provides identifyinginformation such that the channel mixer may appropriately identify theparticular channel of interest. In addition, the interpretation of theencoded channel data may further include determining the filteringrequirements to extract the channel of interest from a plurality ofchannels.

The processing proceeds to Step 1154 where the channel mixer separatesthe channels of interest from the set of channels based on the type ofdata. The process then proceeds to Step 1156 where the channel mixerprocesses the data of the channels of interest based on the type of datato produce generic data. Such processing was previously described withreference to FIGS. 43-46. The process then proceeds to Step 1158 wherethe channel mixer converts the generic data into a stream of data. Thiswas previously described with reference to FIGS. 46 and 47.

FIG. 50 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a client module 1160operably coupled to a client device. The client module 1160 may be anyof the client modules illustrated in FIGS. 1-11. The client module 1100includes a video decoder 1162 and/or rendering module 1164, embeddeddynamic random access memory (DRAM) 1168, and a network interfacecontroller 1166. The client device includes a client system bus 1172, aclient processor 1174, memory bridge 1176 and client system memory 1178.The client device may be a laptop computer, personal computer, personaldigital assistant, CRT monitor, flat panel monitor, television set, highdefinition television set, a SDTV, a home theatre system, and/or anydevice that has a audio and/or video display associated with it.

The client module 1160 is operably coupled to the client system bus 1172via a system bus interface 1170. The system bus interface 1170 maycouple the client module 1180 to external serial and/or parallel portsof the client device and/or internal interfaces within the clientdevice. Such external interfaces include universal serial bus (USB),serial port, IR port, parallel port, et cetera. Internal connectionsinclude PCI bus, AC 97 interface, and/or any interface that allows aperipheral component to interface with the memory bridge of a hostdevice.

The network interface controller 1166 is operably coupled to themultimedia server, which may be any one of the multimedia servers shownin FIGS. 1-11. The network interface controller 1166 receives packetsand/or frames from the multimedia server and extract data 1186 for achannel of interest 1184. In essence, the network interface controller1166 monitors the packets on the communication path with the multimediaserver to identify packets that are addressing the client module 1160.When such packets and/or frames are identified, the network interfacecontroller extracts the data 1186 from the frames and/or packets andprovides the data to the video decoder 1162 and/or the rendering module1166.

The video decoder 1162 decodes the data 1186 to produce display data.The display data may be stored in the embedded memory 1168. Therendering module 1164 retrieves the display data from the embeddedmemory 1168 and provides it as rendered video images 1188 to the clientdevice. As such, the rendering module 1164 prepares the data for displayby a display of the client device.

FIG. 51 illustrates a more detailed schematic block diagram of a clientmodule 1175 which may be used to implement any one of the client modulesillustrated in FIGS. 1-11. The client module 1175 includes the renderingmodule 1164, a memory controller 1216, the memory device 1168, aninternal bus 1201, the video decoder 1162, the network interfacecontroller 1166, a request module 1212, a video processor 1198, a videocamera 1196, at least one speaker 1214, a microphone 1194, and an audioprocessor 1192. The video decoder 1162 includes a Huffman decoder 1202,a dezigzag and dequantizer module 1204, an inverse discrete cosinetransform module 1206, a macroblock buffer 1208, and a motioncompensation and scaler 1210. The function of the video decoder 1162 isknown, thus no further discussion of the video decoder or its componentswill be provided except to further illustrate the concepts of thepresent invention.

The network interface controller 1166 includes a transmitting module1190 and the receiving module 1200. The receiving module 1200 receivesencoded channel data 1180, which may be in packet form, or in frames.The receiving module interprets the packets and/or frames to extractdata 1186 for the particular channel of interest 1184. The extracteddata is placed on bus 1201 for storage and RAM 1168. The data 1186 issubsequently retrieved from memory 1168 by the video decoder 1162 toproduce decoded video data. The decoded video data is stored once againin the memory 1168. The rendering module 1164 subsequently retrieves thedecoded video data from memory 1168 and processes it to produce renderedvideo images 1188. The rendered video images 1188 are then provided ontothe client system bus 1172 for subsequent display. Note that the clientdevice includes a display, which includes a video display and/or audiodisplay.

If the encoded channel data 1180 includes frames and/or packets of audiodata for the client module 1175, the receiving module 1200 provides theaudio data to audio processor 1192, which prefers the audio data fordisplay. The prepared audio data may be stored in 1168 for subsequentplayback or provided to the client system bus 1172.

In addition, the audio processor 1192 may receive audio signals viamicrophone 1194. The audio processor 1192 processes the audio signalsfrom microphone 1194 and either provides them to the client system bus1172 or to the memory 1168. If the audio data from microphone 1194 is tobe transmitted to the multimedia server, the transmitting module 1190subsequently retrieves the audio data from 1168 and provides it to themultimedia server.

The request module 1212 receives the selection request from the clientdevice. As previously discussed, the selection request identifies theparticular channel of interest that the client desires to access fromthe multimedia server. The transmitting module 1190 prepares theselection request for transmission to the multimedia server via thecommunication path. The transmitting module 1190 utilizes an encodingand/or modulation scheme in accordance with the data conveyance protocolof the multimedia communication system.

The client module 1175 may also include interfacing for receiving videosignals from a video camera 1196 via video processor 1198. The videoprocessor 1198 processes video signals from the video camera 1196 andeither provides them to the client system bus 1172 or stores them in RAM1168. If the stored video signals are to be provided to the multimediaserver, the transmitting module 1190 retrieves the video data from RAM1168 and prepares them for transmission. The preparation of video datafor transmission is in accordance with the data conveyance protocol usedwithin the multimedia communication system. As one of average skill inthe art will appreciate, the memory controller 1216 controls the readingand writing of data to and from RAM 1168. As one of average skill in theart will also appreciate, the client module 1175 may have interfaces forconnecting to an audio processor 1192 and/or video processor 1198, wheresuch devices may be included in the client device.

FIG. 52 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a client module 1220,which may be used to implement any one of the client modules illustratedin FIGS. 1-11. The client module 1220 includes a processing module 1222and memory 1224. The processing module 1222 may be similar to theprocessing module 364 used in the client module of FIG. 11 and memory1224 may be similar to memory 366 used in the client module of FIG. 11.The processing module 1222 may be a single processing device or aplurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be amicrocontroller, microcomputer, microprocessor, digital signalprocessor, central processing unit, programmable gate array, statemachine, logic circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog or digital) based on operational instructions. The memory 1224may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, systemmemory, floppy disk memory, hard drive memory, magnetic tape memory,flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Notethat when the processing module 1222 implements one or more of itsfunctions via a state machine or logic circuitry, the memory storing thecorresponding operational instructions is embedded within the circuitrycomprising the state machine and/or logic circuit. The operationalinstructions performed by processing module 1222 and stored in memory1224 are illustrated as logic diagrams as shown in FIGS. 53-56.

FIG. 53 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for processing datawithin a client module. The processing begins at Step 1240 where theclient module transmits a channel selection request that identifies achannel of interest. The channel selection request is provided to amultimedia server which, subsequently responds by providing a stream ofchannel data that wherein at least a portion of the stream of dataincludes data corresponding to the channel of interest.

The process continues at Step 1230 where the client module receives theset of channels as a stream of data from a multimedia server. Thereceiving may further include decoding the stream of data to recapturedata of the channel of interest (i.e., the channel corresponding to theone requested by the client module's client). The decoding may includeone or more of multi-level decoding, non-return to zero decoding,Manchester decoding, block decoding, and/or nB/mB decoding where n<m.

The process then proceeds to Step 1232 where the client moduleinterprets segments of the stream of data to identify data correspondingto the channel of interest. The segments may be frames and/or packets ofdata that include header information. The header information includesidentity of the client module, the source of the data, et cetera suchthat the client module may readily identify the particular packetsand/or frames destined for the client module. The process then proceedsto Step 1234 where the client module interprets the data of the channelof interest to determine the type of data, where the type of data may beaudio data, video data, and/or text data.

The process then proceeds to Step 1236 where the client module processesthe data of the channel of interest based on the type of data to produceprocessed data. The process then proceeds to Step 1238 where the clientmodule provides the processed data to the client for display.

FIG. 54 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further describesSteps 1236 and 1238 of FIG. 53. The processing begins at Step 1250 wherethe type of data is determined. The type of data may be video data,application data, and/or audio data. For video data, the processproceeds to Step 1252 where the client module converts the data of thechannel of interest into YUV data and/or RGB data. When the data isreceived in MPEG format, the conversion may be done as shown in Steps1260-1268. At Step 1260, the client module utilizes a Huffman decoder todecode the video. The process then proceeds to Step 1262 where theHuffman decoded data is dezigzagged.

The process then proceeds to Step 1264 where the dezigzagged data isdequantized. The process then proceeds to Step 1266 where thedequantized data has an inverse discrete cosine transform functionperformed upon it. The process then proceeds to Step 1268 where motioncompensation and/or scaling function is performed upon the IDCT data toproduce the YUV data. The YUV data may then be converted into RGB dataand stored in memory. As one of average skill in the art willappreciate, both YUV data and RGB data may be maintained for use by theclient module and/or associated client device.

Returning to the flow of processing video data, the process continues atStep 1254 where the YUV data and/or the RGB data is stored in a framebuffer (e.g., the memory of the client module and/or memory of theclient device) as the processed data. The process then proceeds to Step1256 where the client module retrieves the YUV data and/or RGB data fromthe frame buffer at a display rate to produce retrieved display data.The process then proceeds to Step 1258 where the client module rendersthe retrieved display data for display. The rendered data is provided tothe client device for subsequent display.

If the type of data is audio data, the process proceeds to Step 1280. AtStep 1280, the client module converts the audio data of the channel ofinterest into PCM data. The process then proceeds to Step 1282 where theclient module stores the PCM data in a frame buffer (e.g., the RAMwithin the client module and/or memory of the client device) asprocessed data. The process then proceeds to Step 1284 where the clientmodule retrieves the PCM data from the frame buffer at a display rate.The process then proceeds to Step 1286 where the client module providesthe retrieved display data to at least one speaker assembly eitherassociated with the client module and/or within the client device.

If the type of data is application data, the process proceeds to Step1270. At Step 1270, the client module stores the application data inmemory as the processed data. Note that the application data correspondsto data received via an Internet connection, client-to-clientcommunication, and/or telephone communication. The process then proceedsto Step 1272 where the client module retrieves the processed data frommemory. The process then proceeds to Step 1274 where the client moduleprovides the processed data to a processor. The processor may be withinthe client device and/or the processor within the client device.

The process then proceeds to Step 1276 where the processor generatesvideo data from the processed data. The process then proceeds to Step1278 where the video data is provided for display by the client device.

FIGS. 55 and 56 illustrate a logic diagram of an alternate method for aclient module to provide a channel selection request and receivecorresponding data within a multimedia system. The process begins atStep 1290 where the client module receives an input from a client. Theinput signal may be received an interface with the client where theclient includes at least one of a personal computer, laptop computer,personal digital assistant, video telephone, digital telephone, cellulartelephone, monitor, CRT monitor, LCD monitor, television set, highdefinition television set, and/or any device that includes a videoand/or audio display device. In addition, the interface with the clientdevice between the client module may include a wireless communicationpath such that the remote control device associated with the clientdevice provides the input signal to the client module.

The process then proceeds to Step 1292 where the client moduleinterprets the input signal to determine the type of signal beingrequested. The process then proceeds to Step 1294 where the clientmodule determines that the type of signal as either video, audio,application or control. If the type of signal is audio, the processproceeds to Step 1296 where the client module processes the audio signalto produce generic audio data. This may be done as shown at Step 1302where the client module converts the audio data into MPEG formattedaudio data, MP3 formatted audio data, and/or PCM digitized audio data.

The process then proceeds to Step 1298 where the client module convertsthe generic audio data into a stream of data. This may be done as shownin Step 1304 where the client module encodes the generic audio databased on a data conveyance protocol to produce the stream of data. Thetype of encoding may include one or more of multi-level encoding,non-return to zero encoding, Manchester encoding, block encoding, and/ornB/mB encoding where n<m.

The process then proceeds to Step 1300 where the client module transmitsthe stream of data to the multimedia server. The transmission of thestream of data includes packetizing and/or framing the data inaccordance with the data conveyance protocol used by the multimediacommunication system. In addition, the transmission of the stream ofdata may include utilizing a modulation scheme such as TDM, FDM, ASK,PSK, et cetera.

If the client module determines that the type of signal is controlsignals, the process proceeds to Step 1306. At Step 1306, the clientmodule determines whether the control information relates to a localcommand or a system level command. The process then proceeds to Step1308 where the client module determines the system level or local levelcommand. If it is a system level command, the process proceeds to Step1310 where the client module processes the control information forconveyance to the multimedia server to produce a control message. Theprocessing of the control information may include encoding the controlmessage based on the data conveyance protocol of the multimediacommunication system, and utilizing the data conveyance protocol whichmay include packetizing and/or framing the data as well as utilizing amodulation scheme such as CSMA, CSMA with collision avoidance, and/orCSMA with collision detection for packets of data and time divisionmultiplexing and/or frequency division multiplexing for frames of data.

The processing then proceeds to Step 312 where the client moduletransmits the control message to the multimedia server. The controlmessage may include the channel selection request, which identifies theparticular channel of interest for processing by the client module.

If the type of control information relates to a local command, theprocess proceeds to Step 1318. At Step 1318, the client module locallyprocesses the input signal to provide the channel of interest to theclient. Accordingly, the client module may interpret the controlinformation, which includes a channel selection request and determinesthat another client is already accessing that particular channel. Assuch, the client module simply extracts the channel data destined forthe other client and utilizes it to service its client.

If the client module determines that the type of signal is applicationrelated, the process proceeds to Step 1314. At Step 1314, the clientmodule processes the input signal to produce processed application data.The application data may be data related to a network application suchas email and/or web browser, a telephone communication, and/or aclient-to-client communication. Such processing for a telephonecommunication would include the similar functionality that the handsetperforms in a cordless telephone.

The processing for data within the Internet access is simply functioningas a terminal to provide input selections and/or received data from themultimedia server, which performs the network applications. The processthen proceeds to Step 1316 where the client module transmits the processapplication data to the multimedia server. The process application datais formatted in accordance with the data conveyance protocol of themultimedia communication system, which includes encoding and/or amodulation scheme.

As shown in FIG. 56, if the type of signal is video, the processingcontinues at Step 1320. At Step 1320, the client module processes thevideo signal to produce generic video data. This may be done in one of avariety of ways as shown in Steps 1328-1336. At Step 1328, the clientmodule converts the video signal of the channel of interest into MPEGformatted video data. At Step 1330, the client module converts the videosignal of the channel of interest into JPEG formatted video data. AtStep 1332, the client module converts the video signal of the channel ofinterest into MPEG formatted video data. At Step 1334, the client moduleconverts the video signal of the channel of interest into digital RGBvideo data. At Step 1336, the client module converts the video signal ofthe channel of interest into digital YCBCR video data. As one of averageskill in the art will appreciate, the client module is performing asimilar function as the multimedia server performs when conveying videoand/or audio data to the multimedia server.

Returning to the main processing of video data, the process continues atStep 1322 where the client module converts the generic video data into astream of data. This may be done as shown at Step 1326 where the clientmodule encodes the generic video data based on a data conveyanceprotocol of the multimedia communication system. The data conveyanceprotocol may include a particular type of encoding such as Manchesterencoding, multi-level encoding, et cetera and also a correspondingmodulation scheme such as FDMA, TDMA, CSMA, CSMA with collisionavoidance, or CSMA with collision detection. The process then proceedsto Step 1324 where the stream of data is transmitted as either packetsor frames to the multimedia server.

FIG. 57 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for a multimedia serverto act as a hub based network access module for a plurality of clientmodules. The processing steps shown in FIG. 57 as well as in FIGS. 58-62may be performed by the multimedia server of FIG. 2, 7 and/or 11. Theprocessing begins at Step 1340 where the multimedia server receivespackets from at least one of a plurality of clients. The process thenproceeds to Step 1342 where the multimedia server determines whether anetwork access application is active for the particular client. If not,the process proceeds to Step 1344 where the multimedia server opens anetwork access application for the client.

Once the network access application is open, or if the application wasalready open, the process proceeds to Step 1346. At Step 1346, themultimedia server processes data of at least one of the packets inaccordance with the network access application to produce network data.The network access application may be an email application, web browserapplication, and/or any application that allows a user to access theInternet or other wide area network. The process then proceeds to Step1348 where the multimedia server determines how to access a networkconnection (e.g., a modem) for transmission of the network data.Accessing the network connection is based on a “client access to networkconnection scheme”, which will be subsequently discussed. The processthen proceeds to Step 1350 where the multimedia server transports thenetwork data via the network connection to a wide area network based onthe determined network access.

The process then proceeds to Step 1352 where the multimedia server logsa destination address and/or source address for each packet of networkdata transmitted via the network connection. The logging enables themultimedia server to accurately track the appropriate destination withinthe multimedia communication system for the received data when itreceives a response via the wide area network. The process then proceedsto Step 1354 where the multimedia server receives network packets viathe network connection. The process then proceeds to Step 1356 where themultimedia server interprets a header section of the network packets toidentify a response to the network data. The response includes anidentifier that identifies the particular destination within themultimedia communication system. The process then proceeds to Step 1358where the multimedia server provides the network packets to theparticular client associated with the network data.

FIG. 58 illustrates a logic diagram that further defines thedetermination of whether the network access application is active asshown in Step 1342 of FIG. 57. The processing begins at Step 1360 wherethe multimedia server interprets a header section of at least one of thepackets received from the client to identify the individual client. Theprocess then proceeds to Step 1362 where the multimedia serverinterprets the header section to determine the particular type ofnetwork access being requested. The process then proceeds to Step 1364where the multimedia server determines whether the network applicationis active based on the identity of the particular client and the type ofnetwork access being requested.

FIG. 59 illustrates a logic diagram for the determination of theparticular type of network access of Step 1362 of FIG. 58. This may bedone at either Step 1366 or Step 1368. At Step 1366, the multimediaserver interprets the header section of the at least one packet todetermine email network access. At Step 1368, the multimedia serverinterprets the header section of the packet or packets to determine aweb browser network access.

FIG. 60 illustrates a logic diagram of a method that further describesthe determination of access to the network connection of Step 1348 ofFIG. 57. This may be done in one or more of Steps 1370-1378. At Step1370, the multimedia server utilizes a time division multiplexingaccessing scheme to provide access to the network connection for each ofthe clients that currently have an active network access application. AtStep 1372, the multimedia server utilizes a carrier sensed multipleaccess process to determine the access to the network connection amongthe clients that currently have an active network access application.

At Step 1374, the multimedia server utilizes a token passing schemeamong the clients that currently have an active network accessapplication to determine access to the network connection. At Step 1376,the multimedia server utilizes a queuing scheme of the network data foreach client that has a currently active network access application open.The queuing scheme may be based on a first-in first-out bufferingarrangement. At Step 1378, the multimedia server responds to a requestfor access to the network connection from the resources within thechannel mixer processing the particular request.

FIG. 61 illustrates a logic diagram of an alternate method for amultimedia server to act as a hub based network access connection for aplurality of clients. The processing begins at Step 1380 where themultimedia server receives packets from at least one of a plurality ofclients. The process then proceeds to Step 1382 where the multimediaserver interprets each packet to determine whether the packet is aclient-to-client packet or network packet. The interpretation is done byreviewing the header section of the packet, which includes an indicationas to whether it is client-to-client data or network data.

The process then proceeds to Step 1384 where the multimedia serverdetermines whether the packet relates to client-to-client data ornetwork data. For client-to-client data, the process proceeds to Step1386 where the multimedia server processes the packet to produceprocessed client packets. Such processing includes packetizing theclient-to-client communication for subsequent transmission to one ormore other clients within the multimedia communication system.

The process then proceeds to Step 1388 where the multimedia servermultiplexes the process client packets for transmission to the pluralityof clients, which yields multiplex client packets. The process clientpackets are also multiplexed with network data destined for clients,video data destined for clients and/or audio data destined for clients.The process then proceeds to Step 1390 where the multimedia servertransmits the multiplex client data to the plurality of clients inaccordance with the data conveyance protocol used within the multimediacommunication system.

If the packet corresponds to network data, the process proceeds to Step1392 where the multimedia server identifies at least one of the clientsfrom the packet. The process then proceeds to Step 1394 where themultimedia server determines whether a network access application isactive for the particular client. If not, the process proceeds to Step1396 where the multimedia server opens a network access application(e.g., email and/or web browser application) for the particular client.

Once a network application is open or has been opened, the processproceeds to Step 1398 where the multimedia server processes data of thenetwork packets in accordance with the network access application toproduce network data. The process then proceeds to Step 1400 where themultimedia server determines access to the network connection fortransmission of the network data based on the client access to networkconnection scheme. The process then proceeds to Step 1402 where themultimedia server transports the network data via the network connectionto a wide area network based on the determine network access. Thedetermination of Step 1400 has been explained in greater detail withreference to FIG. 60 and the determination of Step 1394 has beenexplained in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 58 and 59.

FIG. 62 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for a multimedia serverto function as a hub base network access for a plurality of clients. Theprocess begins at Step 1420 where the multimedia server receives networkpackets via a network connection. The network packets are received froma wide area network system such as the Internet in response toinformation provided by the multimedia server on behalf of one or moreclients. The process then proceeds to Step 1422 where the multimediaserver determines identity of at least one client that is a target ofthe network packet. This may be done by interpreting a header section ofthe network packet where the header section includes the destinationaddress, which corresponds to an individual client. As such, eachnetwork packet that is received, the multimedia server may readilydetermine the appropriate client.

The process then proceeds to Step 1424 where the multimedia serverdetermines whether a network access application is active for theparticular client. The network application may be an email applicationand/or a web browser application. If the particular network accessapplication is not active, the process proceeds to Step 1426 where themultimedia server opens one for the particular client.

With a network access application open, the process proceeds to Step1428 where the multimedia server processes data of the network packetsto produce client data. The processing of the data may include preparingdisplay data corresponding to the execution of the network applicationupon the incoming network packets and storing the resulting data asclient data. The process then proceeds to Step 1430 where the multimediaserver multiplexes client data for transmission to the plurality ofclients. The client data may be multiplexed with other data destined forthe clients, such other data includes video data, audio data, and/orother application data. The process then proceeds to Step 1432 where themultimedia server transmits the multiplex client data to the pluralityof clients in accordance with the data conveyance protocol of themultimedia communication system.

The processing continues at Step 1434 where the multimedia serverreceives client-to-client packets from at least one client. The processthen proceeds to Step 1434 where the multimedia server processes theclient-to-client packets to produce processed client packets. Theprocess then proceeds to Step 1438 where the multimedia servermultiplexes the processed client packets with other client data fortransmission to the plurality of clients. The process then proceeds toStep 1440 where the multimedia server transmits the multiplex clientdata to the plurality of clients.

FIG. 63 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for managing resourceswithin a multimedia system. The processing illustrating in FIG. 63, aswell as those illustrated in FIGS. 64 & 65, may be executed by any oneof the multimedia servers illustrated in FIGS. 1-11. The processingbegins at Step 1450 where the multimedia server receives a clientrequest for a multimedia service. The multimedia system service includesone or more of accessing a channel from a satellite connection, cableconnection, NTSC broadcast connection, HDTV broadcast connection, SDTVbroadcast connection, output of a VCR DVD radio receiver, CD player, MP3player, et cetera.

The process then proceeds to Step 1452 where the multimedia serverdetermines whether the client request is valid. The determination ofwhether the client request is valid may be based on whether theparticular client has access to the particular video program that isbeing requested, determining whether the particular channel that isbeing selected exceeds parental control settings, and/or determiningwhether the clients request is received during an assigned access time.Accordingly, the assigned access time period corresponds to the time ofday in which the user of the particular module may access services fromthe multimedia server. If the client request is not valid, the processproceeds to Step 1456 where the multimedia server denies the request.

If, however, the request is valid, the process proceeds to Step 1458. AtStep 1458, the multimedia server determines whether the multimediasystem has sufficient resources to fulfill the client request. Thedetermination of whether the multimedia system has sufficient resourcesincludes determining whether the tuning module has the capacity toaccommodate the client request, the channel mixer has sufficientprocessing resources to process the client request, and/or whether thecommunication path between the multimedia server and the plurality ofclients has sufficient bandwidth to accommodate the client request.

The process then proceeds to Step 1460 where a determination is made asto whether sufficient resources exist. If they do, the process proceedsto Step 1462. At Step 1462, the multimedia server allocates at leastsome of the resources to fulfill the client request based on amultimedia system resource allocation procedure. The multimedia systemresource allocation procedure includes allocating the resources in afirst-come-first-serve basis, allocating the resources in a trunkedmanner, and/or allocating the resources based on a predeterminedassignment of particular resources to a particular client. Accordingly,a particular tuner, stream parsing module may be allocated to aparticular client. As such, these resources would remain idle unless theparticular client desires access to the multimedia system.

In addition to allocating the resources as shown in Step 1462, themultimedia system may also provide the functionality as shown in Steps1464-1468. At Step 1464, the multimedia server determines whether thesystem has access available resources. If not, the process reverts toStep 1462. If so, the process proceeds to Step 1466 where the multimediaserver determines whether the client has enhance feature privileges. Theenhance feature privileges allow the client's favorite channels to beselected and processed by the multimedia server, previous-channel,next-channel, picture-in-picture, et cetera. If the client does not havethe enhance features, the process reverts to Step 1462. If, however, theclient has advanced features, the process proceeds to Step 1468. At Step1468, the multimedia server allocates further resources to support theenhance features of the client.

If sufficient resources are not available, the process proceeds to FIG.64, which provides a variety of alternatives for handling insufficientresources. One such approach is to remove the enhance features providedto particular clients to make resources available. Alternate processesare shown at Steps 1464, 1474 and 1478.

At Step 1464, the multimedia server determines whether an alternatemultimedia service is available for the particular client. This may bedone as shown in one or more of Steps 1466-1472. At Step 1466, themultimedia server, for a video program, adjusts the resolution of thedisplay to a default resolution, which reduces the processingrequirements. At Step 1468, the multimedia server, for a video program,adjusts the video quality to a default video quality, which reduces theprocessing requirements to prepare the video data for the client.

At Step 1470, the multimedia server queries the client to select analternative multimedia service. The query may include a listing ofchannels currently being serviced and requesting that the client selectone of those, and/or select an alternate resolution, video quality, etcetera. At Step 1472, the multimedia server automatically selects analternative multimedia service based on pre-programmed alternateselections. In essence, the client may pre-program its default settingsor alternate multimedia services as opposed to being directly queried.

At Step 1474, the multimedia server determines whether the clientrequest has priority over currently serviced other client request. Ifso, the process proceeds to Step 1476 where the multimedia serverpreempts currently serviced client(s) to obtain the resources to fillthe present client request. If the current client request does not havepriority over at least one other currently serviced client, the presentclient's request is denied, and the client may be requested to access analternative multimedia service.

At Step 1478, the multimedia server determines whether allocation ofresources can be reallocated to fill the client request. The processthen proceeds to Step 1480 where the multimedia server adjustsallocation of the resources to fulfill the client request when theresources can be reallocated. The determination of whether resources canbe reallocated is further described in Steps 1482 and 1484. At Step1482, the multimedia server monitors the use of the resources incomparisons of the capabilities of the resources. The process thenproceeds to Step 1484 where the multimedia server adjusts the allocationof resources when the use of at least some of the resources is notoptimal. For example, if a particular resource is most efficient whenprocessing compressed video from an HDTV source, satellite source, etcetera and is currently processing audio signals, the resource may bereallocated to process video signals while another resource is used toprocess the audio signals.

FIG. 65 illustrates a logic diagram of a method for managing resourceswithin a multimedia system. The process begins at Step 1490 where amultimedia server receives a client request for a multimedia servicefrom a client. The multimedia service includes one or more of accessinga video source such as a channel of a satellite connection, channel of acable connection, DVD player, VCR, and/or an audio source such as a CDplayer, DVD audio player, et cetera. The process then proceeds to Step1492 where the multimedia server determines whether the client requestis valid. If the client request is not valid as indicated at Step 1494,the process proceeds to Step 1496 where the multimedia server denies therequest.

If, however, the request is valid, the process proceeds to Step 1498where the multimedia server determines whether the multimedia system hassufficient resources available to fulfill the client request. Theprocess then proceeds to Step 1500 where the multimedia server branchesbased on whether sufficient resources exist. If sufficient resourcesexist, the process proceeds to Step 1502. At Step 1502, the multimediaserver allocates best-matched resources to fulfill a client request. Ifsufficient resources do not exist, the processing at FIG. 64 isutilized.

To determine the best match resources to fulfill the client request,Steps 1504-1508 may be utilized. At Step 1504, the multimedia servermaintains a listing of resource capabilities for each of the pluralityof resources. The process then proceeds to Step 1506 where themultimedia server determines the type of resources needed to support theclient request. The process then proceeds to Step 1508 where themultimedia server performs a best match analysis to identify the bestmatch resources based on the resource capabilities and the type ofresources needed. For example, resources within a tuning module and/orchannel mixer may be most efficient when processing compressed videodata from a satellite connection while others may be more adept atprocessing audio signals. As such, when a request for access tocompressed video signal is received, the multimedia server attempts toallocate the resources that are best fitted to process the compressedvideo. Correspondingly, when a request for access to an audio source isreceived, the multimedia server attempts to allocate the best resourcesto fulfill the audio request.

The preceding discussion has presented a method and apparatus for amultimedia communication system. The multimedia communication systemallows a plurality of clients to have apparent direct access to avariety of audio sources, video sources, the internet, the public switchtelephone network, et cetera without the typical receiving andtransmitting circuitry associated with conventional direct access tosuch services. As one of average skill in the art will appreciate, otherembodiments may be derived from the teaching of the present invention,without deviating from the scope of the claims.

1. A method for a client module to process a channel selection request,comprising: receiving by the client module a current set of channels,wherein the current set of channels includes a first channel addressedto the client module and one or more other channels addressed to otherclient modules; receiving a channel selection request by the clientmodule that identifies a second channel; determining whether the one ormore other channels addressed to other client modules in the current setof channels includes the second channel; and when the one or more otherchannels addressed to other client modules in the current set ofchannels includes the second channel, locally processing the channelselection request by the client module by: extracting the second channelfrom the one or more other channels addressed to other client modules inthe current set of channels; and utilizing the second channel by theclient module to service the channel selection request.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: transmitting a system-level control messageby the client module to a multimedia server, wherein the system-levelcontrol message requests the first channel; and in response to thesystem-level control message, receiving by the client module the currentset of channels from the multimedia server, wherein the current set ofchannels includes the first channel addressed to the client module andthe one or more other channels addressed to the other client modules. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein receiving by the client module thecurrent set of channels comprises: receiving the current set of channelsas a stream of data from the multimedia server; and decoding the streamof data to extract the first channel addressed to the client module fromthe one or more other channels addressed to other client modules.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein decoding the stream of data to extract thefirst channel addressed to the client module comprises: identifying oneor more packets of data in the stream of data that include headerinformation identifying the client module as a destination; andinterpreting the one or more packets of data to determine a type of datain the first channel, where the type of data includes one or more of:audio data, video data and text data.
 5. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising: when the one or more other channels addressed to otherclient modules in the current set of channels fails to include thesecond channel, transmitting another system-level control message by theclient module to the multimedia server, wherein the system-level controlmessage requests the second channel.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinreceiving a channel selection request by the client module comprises:receiving the channel selection request by the client module via awireless communication path from a remote control device.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein utilizing the second channel by the client module toservice the channel selection request, comprises: processing data of thefirst channel based on as type of data to produce processed data; andproviding the processed data for display by the client module.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the client module includes at least one of: apersonal computer, set-top box, laptop computer, a personal digitalassistant, a video telephone, a digital telephone, a cellular telephone,a monitor, a television, a high definition television, a digital videoplayer, a printer, and a facsimile machine.
 9. A client module forprocessing a channel selection request in a multimedia system, theclient module comprises: at least one memory; and at least oneprocessing module operably coupled to the at least one memory, whereinthe at least one processing module is operable to: receive a current setof channels, wherein the current set of channels includes a firstchannel addressed to the client module and one or more other channelsaddressed to other client modules; receive a channel selection requestthat identifies a second channel; determine whether the one or moreother channels addressed to other client modules in the current set ofchannels includes the second channel; and when the one or more otherchannels addressed to other client modules in the current set ofchannels includes the second channel, locally process the channelselection request by: extracting the second channel from the one or moreother channels addressed to other client modules in the current set ofchannels; and utilizing the second channel to service the channelselection request.
 10. The client module of claim 9, wherein the atleast one processing module is further operable to: transmit asystem-level control message to a multimedia server, wherein thesystem-level control message requests the first channel; and in responseto the system-level control message, receive the current set of channelsfrom the multimedia server, wherein the current set of channels includesthe first channel addressed to the client module and the one or moreother channels addressed to the other client modules.
 11. The clientmodule of claim 10, wherein the at least one processing module isoperable to receive the current set of channels by: receiving thecurrent set of channels as a stream of data from the multimedia server;and decoding the stream of data to extract the first channel addressedto the client module from the one or more other channels addressed toother client modules.
 12. The client module of claim 11, wherein the atleast one processing module is operable to decode the stream of data toextract the first channel addressed to the client module by: identifyingone or more packets of data in the stream of data that include headerinformation identifying the client module as a destination; andinterpreting the one or more packets of data to determine a type of datain the first channel, where the type of data includes one or more of:audio data, video data and text data.
 13. The client module of claim 10,wherein the at least one processing module is further operable to: whenthe one or more other channels addressed to other client modules in thecurrent set of channels fails to include the second channel, transmitanother system-level control message to the multimedia server, whereinthe system-level control message requests the second channel.
 14. Theclient module of claim 9, wherein the at least one processing module isoperable to receive the channel selection request via a wirelesscommunication path from a remote control device.
 15. The client moduleof claim 9, wherein the at least one processing module is operable toutilize the second channel to service the channel selection request by:processing data of the first channel based on as type of data to produceprocessed data; and providing the processed data for display by theclient module.
 16. The client module of claim 9, wherein the clientmodule includes at least one of: a personal computer, set-top box,laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a video telephone, adigital telephone, a cellular telephone, a monitor, a television, a highdefinition television, a digital video player, a printer, and afacsimile machine.
 17. A client module in a multimedia system,comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processing moduleoperably coupled to the at least one memory, wherein the at least oneprocessing module is operable to: receive a current set of channels froma multimedia server as a stream of data, wherein the current set ofchannels includes a first channel addressed to the client module and oneor more other channels addressed to other client modules; receive aninput signal from a client; determine whether control information in theinput signal includes a channel selection request for a second channel;when the control information includes a channel selection request,determine locally by the client module whether the one or more otherchannels addressed to other client modules in the current set ofchannels from the multimedia server includes the second channel; andwhen the one or more other channels addressed to the other clientmodules includes the second channel, locally process the channelselection request for the second channel by extracting the secondchannel from the one or more other channels addressed to the otherclient modules in the current set of channels from the multimediaserver.
 18. The client module of claim 17, wherein the at least oneprocessing module is further operable to: transmit a first system-levelcontrol message to a multimedia server, wherein the first system-levelcontrol message requests the first channel; and in response to the firstsystem-level control message, receive the current set of channels fromthe multimedia server, wherein the current set of channels includes thefirst channel addressed to the client module and the one or more otherchannels addressed to the other client modules.
 19. The client module ofclaim 18, wherein the at least one processing module is further operableto: when the one or more other channels addressed to other clientmodules in the current set of channels fails to include the secondchannel, transmit a second system-level control message to themultimedia server, wherein the second system-level control messagerequests the second channel.
 20. The client module of claim 17, whereinthe at least one processing module is operable to receive the currentset of channels by: receiving the current set of channels as a stream ofdata from the multimedia server; and decoding the stream of data toextract the first channel addressed to the client module from the one ormore other channels addressed to other client modules.